Ring Road in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, March 19: The irrigation department has sent a detailed project report and design plan to the state government to widen the Ring Road and also strengthen its retaining wall.

The Ring Road runs along the Mahanadi river.

Executive engineer of the irrigation department Prabhas Pattnaik said the work would begin once the state government cleared the project.

Another official source said: “The 4.05-km Ring Road, which starts from Mandila and ends at Nelson Mandela Chhak, will be widened to make it a two-lane road. The estimated budget for the expansion project has been set at Rs 21.82 lakh.”

A three-foot-wide median has also been proposed to be constructed. Apart from widening the road into a two-lane thoroughfare, the irrigation department has also proposed to construct river view galleries or platform along the Ring Road so that the people could enjoy the beauty of the Mahanadi from there. The Ring Road, which is at present a single-lane road, was constructed in 1997.

The objective behind constructing the Ring Road was to provide protection to the town from recurrent floods, while also giving an alternative road to the town. Because of traffic congestion on the nearby national highway, several motorists prefer to come to the town though the Ring Road.

“The expansion of the Ring Road is a welcome move. At present, the road is not in a good condition. If it is converted into a two-lane structure, it will help ease traffic movement in the town,” said Pabitra Mishra, a local resident.

“The Ring Road is a beautiful road as it runs along the bank of the Mahanadi. Expansion of the road and construction of river view galleries along its stretch will only make it more beautiful,” said Santosh Jha, another local resident.

“The river view galleries, which have been proposed to be constructed along the Ring Road, will be an attraction for the people coming to the town. The ride is all set to be more pleasant on the Ring Road once the proposal is materialised. The department concerned should expedite the expansion process,” said Santanu Barik, a commuter.

Pattnaik, however, said that the tender for the expansion work would be floated only once the model code of conduct for the upcoming polls was over.