Bhubaneswar, June 1 (BNP): In a significant step towards improving road connectivity and reducing congestion on Odisha’s busiest highway corridor, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified work on the expansion of the Palasuni Bridge along National Highway-16, widening it from four lanes to six lanes.
Representational image
The infrastructure project, aimed at easing persistent traffic congestion between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, is expected to be completed by January 2027. Authorities believe the upgraded bridge will considerably improve traffic movement and reduce travel delays for thousands of daily commuters and commercial vehicles using the route.
For years, the Palasuni junction has remained one of the most congested stretches on NH-16, witnessing severe traffic bottlenecks during peak office hours and festive periods due to rising vehicle numbers and rapid urban development across the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack region.
To address mounting traffic pressure, NHAI has undertaken the widening of the existing 240-metre-long bridge using advanced construction methods aimed at ensuring faster completion while minimising disruption to vehicular movement on the busy corridor.
Officials said nearly 20 per cent of the construction work has already been completed, with execution progressing steadily as per schedule. Once operational, the six-lane bridge is expected to ensure smoother traffic flow at Palasuni, a key transit point connecting the twin cities and serving as a major gateway for passenger and freight transportation.
The project is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including shorter travel time, reduced congestion and improved road safety. Daily commuters who often face long traffic snarls at the junction are likely to experience significantly improved mobility after the bridge expansion.
Beyond commuter convenience, the project is also expected to strengthen the logistics and transportation network in Odisha. NH-16 serves as a crucial freight corridor along India’s eastern coast, facilitating large-scale movement of goods and commercial traffic.
The bridge expansion forms part of NHAI’s broader highway modernisation efforts to create future-ready transport infrastructure capable of handling increasing traffic demand while supporting urban growth and economic development in the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack metropolitan region.
With work progressing steadily, residents and commuters are hopeful that the six-lane Palasuni Bridge will finally offer lasting relief from chronic congestion and transform travel experience between Odisha’s two major cities.
