Odisha has taken a significant step towards improving pedestrian infrastructure with the foundation stone being laid for the state’s first skywalk project along National Highway-16 (NH-16) in Bhubaneswar. The project, estimated at ₹18.42 crore, will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and is expected to be completed by March 2027.
The foundation stone was laid by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, who said the project aims to enhance pedestrian safety along the busy Palasuni–Rasulgarh corridor, a stretch that has witnessed frequent accidents and posed significant challenges for residents attempting to cross the highway.
The proposed skywalk will be approximately 450 metres long and 3 metres wide, providing a safe, elevated pedestrian route across one of the city’s busiest traffic corridors. It will be integrated with the existing foot overbridge at Palasuni, creating a continuous and convenient pedestrian network.
In addition to the skywalk, the project includes the construction of three new foot overbridges near Rasulgarh and the Palasuni Canal. To improve accessibility for all users, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the facility will be equipped with six elevators.
The structure will be built using steel framing and toughened safety glass, offering durability while ensuring commuter safety and ease of maintenance.
Speaking during the foundation-laying ceremony, Aparajita Sarangi noted that the proposal had been consistently pursued in response to repeated public concerns over road safety on the Rasulgarh–Palasuni stretch. The project is expected to significantly reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts while improving connectivity between surrounding residential and commercial areas.
During the same event, the Member of Parliament also inaugurated several development initiatives for the region. These included the foundation stone for a ₹12.57 crore block-level sports complex at Kusupalla in the Begunia Assembly constituency.
Sarangi also announced upcoming industrial investments in Begunia, including a ₹727 crore refractory manufacturing plant by Calderys and a garment manufacturing project. According to her, the proposed garment units in Begunia and Jatni together have the potential to generate nearly 70,000 employment opportunities.
Additional infrastructure announcements included passenger halt facilities at Atri railway station, the installation of three solar-powered cold storage units, and the development of four new road projects in the region.
The NH-16 skywalk project marks a major milestone in Odisha’s urban transport infrastructure and is expected to improve pedestrian mobility, road safety, and accessibility in one of Bhubaneswar’s busiest traffic corridors.
