Ranchi is set to get Jharkhand’s first 10-lane smart road corridor, with the project estimated to cost around ₹177 crore. The corridor is planned to strengthen connectivity between the city’s key administrative areas and the Ring Road, while introducing modern facilities for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Survey work for the project has already commenced.
The project will be executed by the State Highways Authority of Jharkhand (SHAJ) under the state Road Construction Department. The contract has been awarded to West Bengal-based contractor Ramchandra Pal, and work allocation has been completed. The ongoing survey is part of the preliminary activities ahead of construction.
The proposed corridor will begin at Vivekananda School Morh, near the old Assembly complex, and pass through important locations including Jagannath Temple, the Jharkhand High Court and the new Assembly building, before reaching the Nayasarai Railway Overbridge (ROB). From there, the route will extend towards the Ring Road.
The main section from Vivekananda School Morh to Nayasarai ROB will cover approximately 6.089 km. It will comprise a six-lane main carriageway, along with service roads and two-lane paved shoulders on either side, effectively creating a 10-lane corridor. A further 2.12-km stretch from Nayasarai ROB through Nayasarai to the Ring Road will also be widened to improve traffic movement.
The smart road is planned with a strong focus on pedestrian and non-motorised transport infrastructure. The main section will feature a dedicated cycle track, wider footpaths and improved service roads. Seating arrangements, benches and shelter-like structures are also planned along the corridor, while plantation and landscaped green spaces will be developed along the median and roadside areas.
Another notable feature of the project will be its use of solar energy. Solar panels are planned above sections of the cycle track, with the electricity generated intended to support street lighting along the road. This will add a renewable-energy component to the urban road infrastructure while improving nighttime visibility and commuter convenience.
According to state officials, the project is aimed at strengthening connectivity through Ranchi’s important administrative and institutional zone, while providing smoother access between the Ring Road and major government establishments. The improved corridor is expected to benefit movement towards the Assembly, High Court, Project Bhawan and other government offices.
The project is scheduled to be completed within two years. Once operational, the corridor is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time across the connected stretches and provide a more organised road environment with dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
The ₹177-crore project represents a significant addition to Ranchi’s urban road infrastructure and is being positioned as a model smart-road corridor for the state, combining higher road capacity, improved connectivity, pedestrian facilities, green infrastructure and solar-powered lighting in a single project.
