Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday (07 Oct) approved the detailed project report (DPR) for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project.
The metro rail project will be first-of-its-kind for the state and will be fully funded by the state government.
The first phase of 26-km connecting Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia Square is proposed to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 5929 crore.
CM Naveen Patnaik will lay the foundation for the project on 01 January 2024.
According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), for the current year, Rs 210 Crore has been provided in the supplementary Budget for the mega project.
“The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project is a major landmark project for Odisha. Bhubaneswar will join the select group of top cities in the country with a metro rail system. This project will further strengthen the public transport in the city and enable the economic growth of the city. The city has been recognized for various urban projects and is emerging as a city with an enhanced quality of life. I am sure this mega project will make Bhubaneswar a top liveable city in the country,” said Mr. Patnaik.
The entire alignment of the Metro project from Trisulia Square to Bhubaneswar Airport will be on an elevated structure and will run on the median or side of the existing roads, with 20 stations.
The stations will cover important places like Nandankanan, KIIT Square, Damana Square, Jaydev Vihar, Vani Vihar. Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Bapuji Nagar, Sishu Bhawan and Capital Hospital.
The route has been selected to decongest the main roads and benefit maximum number of daily commuters, the statement from the CMO said.
Earlier on 1 April 2023, CM Naveen Patnaik had announced the development of the state’s first metro project in Bhubaneshwar.
The DPR was prepared in a record time of two months, with soil testing and traffic projections by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Further in August 2023, the State government incorporated Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) as a fully owned company of State government under the Companies Act to drive this mega infrastructure initiative.
The government has also formed a high level committee under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner Anu Garg for overseeing the expeditious engagement of an executing agency for the project.
The project has been targeted for completion within 48 months (04 years), making a major promise ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and State assemble elections slated for next year.