The National Board for Wildlife’s standing committee has approved diversion of forest land from Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhenkanal district for the 110.875 km Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) project in Odisha. The decision allows the Gobindpur-Tangi stretch, part of the Bhubaneswar Bypass, to pass through protected and eco-sensitive areas with wildlife safeguards. The project is being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and is designed to improve regional road connectivity between Rameswar in Khurda and Tangi in Cuttack.
Project Clearance and Land Use
The approved diversion covers 13.26 hectare in total, including 4.682 hectare of forest land and 8.594 hectare in the eco-sensitive zone. The affected area lies near the edge of the intensive wildlife management zone of Kapilash sanctuary. Around 2,978 trees are expected to be impacted by the proposed right of way.
Wildlife Concerns and Mitigation
Kapilash is a prime elephant habitat with year-round movement of elephants and other wild animals. The diversion affects compartment no. I, where elephant movement is regular. To reduce ecological impact, the state government has prepared a wildlife mitigation plan with support from the Wildlife Institute of India. The plan includes:
- Elevated corridor sections.
- Animal underpasses and culverts.
- Viaducts at sensitive stretches.
- Light and sound barriers for safe animal movement.
NBWL Conditions and Implementation
The standing committee has imposed 16 conditions for work inside the sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. A site-specific wildlife conservation plan has also been approved. NHAI has stated that forest clearances have been obtained and the tender for the full project has been floated. The project will move ahead after finalisation of the tender.
Project Significance and Funding
The CRRR project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in August 2025 under the Bharatmala scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 8,307.74 crore. It is intended to ease traffic movement around the capital region and strengthen road connectivity in Odisha.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026