Bhubaneswar: The ambitious project to expand and elevate the congested Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan corridor in Bhubaneswar has advanced to a critical preparatory stage, with geotechnical soil testing scheduled to intensify from Thursday as part of the works for multiple flyovers and road widening.
According to sources, preliminary excavations have already begun near Kalinga Hospital Square by the executing agency, marking the start of investigations at five key sites in the initial phase: near Gates 7 and 8 of Kalinga Stadium, Pal Heights Square, Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana Square and KIIT Square.
Officials indicate that boreholes between 10 and 15 feet deep will be drilled to evaluate soil strength, characteristics and load-bearing capacity at successive depths, with the full exercise eventually covering around 180 locations along the entire stretch. This process, expected to last two to three months overall, will provide essential data for finalising the structural design of the proposed infrastructure before construction proceeds.
The first phase of testing is projected to continue for about 45 days through mid-September, during which portions of the carriageway will face temporary barricading and partial obstruction.
Significant traffic disruptions are anticipated on this busy arterial route, particularly during peak hours at locations such as Xavier Square, Damana Square and the stretch between Behera Sahi Square and KIIT Square. The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has issued a detailed advisory urging motorists to avoid the affected sections where possible, plan journeys in advance, follow diversion signs and instructions from on-site personnel, and use alternative routes to reduce delays.
The ₹579-crore turnkey contract for the core works, awarded to Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd following state cabinet approval, forms part of a larger administrative sanction valued at approximately ₹949 crore. The 9.5-kilometre corridor from Kalinga Stadium Gate No. 4 to Raghunathpur Bridge will be upgraded from six lanes to an eight-lane configuration, featuring a central high-capacity carriageway for through traffic alongside dedicated service roads. Drawing inspiration from Chandigarh’s urban road planning, the design separates long-distance and local movements to minimise intersection conflicts and improve overall efficiency on a route that serves heavy daily volumes of office, institutional and outbound traffic amid rapid urban growth.
Key elements include a four-lane cable-stayed bridge over the existing NH-16 flyover at Jayadev Vihar, the first of its kind in Odisha, along with separate four-lane flyovers at Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana Square, KIIT Square and Kalarahanga Square. The project also incorporates minor bridges, cross-drainage structures, improved drainage systems, 5.5-metre-wide service roads spanning roughly 17.5 kilometres, 7.5-metre-wide slip roads covering about nine kilometres, upgraded junctions, road beautification, enhanced safety measures, parking bays, lighting and extensive plantation.
Once complete within the targeted two-year timeframe, the corridor is expected to deliver largely signal-free travel, strengthen connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and provide lasting relief from chronic congestion.