Bhubaneswar: In a major initiative to address worsening traffic congestion in the Twin Cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the Odisha government has constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh.
The committee was formed to identify and implement both immediate and long-term solutions to traffic bottlenecks at major intersections, which have been causing increasing inconvenience to commuters across the capital region.
Chairing the first meeting on Tuesday, Singh reviewed the traffic situation in Bhubaneswar and held detailed discussions on congestion at several key junctions, including Ravi Talkies Square, Mausima Temple Square, Shishu Bhavan Square, Museum Square, Kalpana Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, AG Square, KIIT Square, Kalinga Hospital Square, Rajmahal Square, and other busy points.
The panel comprises senior officials from key departments and agencies, including the Housing and Urban Development Department, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), Works Department, and Planning and Convergence Department. The Additional Secretary of the Planning and Convergence Department will serve as Member Convener.
During the meeting, the committee examined temporary traffic management interventions as well as permanent infrastructure measures for congestion-prone areas. Singh directed the formation of a joint field-level team consisting of officials from BDA, Works Department, BMC, Police, and Traffic Police to conduct on-ground assessments of traffic flow and pedestrian movement at major intersections.
The joint team has been tasked with submitting proposals for immediate corrective measures, following which pilot implementation of recommended solutions will begin without delay. The committee also discussed phased strategies for eliminating traffic bottlenecks and executing long-term infrastructure projects to provide lasting relief.
Officials said traffic-related issues in Cuttack will be taken up in the next meeting, while monthly review meetings will be held regularly to monitor progress and ensure effective traffic management across the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack urban corridor.
Among those present at the meeting were Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, BMC Commissioner and BSCL Managing Director-cum-BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh, senior police officials, and other committee members.