Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda is all set to launch the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme at a special event in Cuttack today. The inauguration will take place at the Bali Jatra ground during a public program on Friday, aiming to extend health coverage to lakhs of families in Odisha.
Traffic Restrictions in Cuttack for the Event
To ensure public safety and smooth traffic management during the high-profile event, the Commissionerate Police has issued temporary traffic restrictions across Cuttack City. These restrictions are effective from 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
The police have warned that any violation of the traffic advisory may result in a fine of up to ₹1,000. However, essential service vehicles like ambulances, police vans, and fire brigade units are exempt from these restrictions.
Key Traffic Diversion Points
Here’s how traffic will be redirected during the event:
- Sikharpur Chhak → Matamatha Chhak (via Ring Road):
Not allowed. Vehicles will be diverted at Jobra Chhak. - Chahata Chhak → Jobra Chhak (via Ring Road):
Not allowed. Diverted at Cantonment Police Station Chhak via Madhukunj Park. - Biju Patnaik Chhak → Old Cantonment (via Dayashram Ring Road):
Entry restricted. - Girnar Hotel Chhak → Mahanadi (via Ring Road):
Not allowed. Take alternate route via OPA Chhak and Madhusudan Statue. - Chandi Chhak → Old Cantonment Police Station:
Vehicles to be diverted at the P.H.D office.
Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles
- From Sikharpur Chhak → Jobra Chhak:
Entry not permitted. - From Kalia Boda → Jobra Chhak:
Divert via OMP Chhak. - From Trisulia Chhak → Belview Chhak:
Heavy vehicles will be diverted at Trisulia Chhak. - From Nuapatna Chhak → CDA (via Madhusudan Setu):
Diversion at Nuapatna Chhak. - From DPO Gada → Belview Chhak (4 PM to 6 PM):
Restricted. Diverted at DPO Gada.
What Is Ayushman Bharat, and How Does It Benefit Odisha?
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a flagship national health insurance scheme that ensures cashless medical treatment for economically weaker sections. In Odisha, this scheme will now be integrated with the state’s own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) for wider coverage and simplified benefits.
Key Benefits:
- Health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year.
- An additional ₹5 lakh cover is specifically for women beneficiaries.
- Over 1.03 crore families in Odisha will be eligible under the merged scheme.
- 67.8 lakh families will be covered by the central government, with the rest supported by the state.
Better Access to Healthcare:
This single scheme will benefit around 4.5 crore people in Odisha.
Earlier, treatment was available in around 900 hospitals in Odisha.
Now, beneficiaries can avail of cashless healthcare in over 29,000 hospitals across India—both public and private.
The launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha is a major step toward improving healthcare accessibility for millions of citizens. While the event marks a turning point in health coverage, residents of Cuttack should remain mindful of the traffic changes and plan their travel accordingly.
