Govt to accelerate Bhubaneswar metro project & seek Centre’s support, if needed: H&UD Minister

Bhubaneswar: Affirming its commitment to quick implementation of Bhubaneswar metro rail project, the Odisha government on Tuesday said all necessary steps will be taken to complete the work as per schedule. The BJP government will execute the metro project to resolve persistent traffic congestion in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, said Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra.

Stressing that the metro rail work will continue as per timeline, the Minister said the support of the Union government for the ambitious project would be sought, if necessary, after a review of the State Budget.

He said the ‘double-engine government of BJP’ will certainly support Odisha for speedy implementation of the metro project. Detailed discussions will soon be held on how to start the project work in the rainy season, Mohapatra said.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special liking and affection for Odisha, the Minister said the Centre would definitely extend all necessary assistance for smooth and speedy implementation of the ambitious project.

It may be noted that the Odisha government had roped in DMRC for the metro project, which seeks to connect Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Trisulia in Cuttack in the first phase. Taken up at an investment of Rs 6,255 crore, the project is expected to be completed in the next four years. The DMRC received approval for its Detailed Project Report (DPR) from the state government on October 7, 2023, while the foundation stone for metro rail was laid by the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 1.

In the first phase, the project is proposed to cover 26 km with 20 stations including BPIA, Capital Hospital, Sishu Bhawan, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Ram Mandir, Vani Vihar, Acharya Vihar, Jaydev Vihar, Xavier Square, Rail Sadan, District Centre, Damana Square, Patia Square, KIIT Square, Nandan Vihar, Raghunathpur, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Phulapokhari and Trisulia Square.

The state government had allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the ambitious project in the vote-on-account 2024-25.