Bhubaneswar to pilot Bus Priority Lanes on two major corridors

The Odisha government has announced a pilot initiative to introduce Bus Priority Lanes on two high-density corridors in Bhubaneswar to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion.

Chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, the decision aims to address significant delays caused by mixed traffic, which currently results in an estimated loss of 1,200 to 1,500 bus trips every month. The initiative is expected to reduce bus travel times by 10 to 20 per cent and increase average bus speeds by 15 to 25 per cent.

The two selected corridors are the 18-km Biju Patnaik International Airport–Nandankanan route and the 5-km Vani Vihar–Sishu Bhavan route. The priority lanes will utilize flexible kerbside space rather than rigid physical segregation to minimize disruption to general traffic. Priority access will be granted to public buses, school buses, and emergency or essential services.

A multi-agency committee has been formed to oversee the implementation and monitor performance. The preparatory phase, involving traffic surveys and infrastructure improvements, is expected to take 10 to 12 weeks, followed by a three to six-month pilot period.