Odisha: Work On Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project To Start By December 2023, To Transform State's Transportation Landscape

Work on the long-awaited metro rail project is set to commence by year-end in the Bhubaneswar capital region, according to Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi. This was revealed during a review meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The minister announced that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is a consultant on the project and creating a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

"The project's construction will likely begin by the end of 2023, with the foundation stone laid by the chief minister," she stated.

The survey for the project is finished, she added.

The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation has almost completed the DPR, with routes identified.

On 1 April, Patnaik announced a metro rail project for daily commuters and tourists, during Utkal Divas.

Official sources in the Housing and Urban Development department said that in the first phase, the metro will run from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar to Netaji Bridge, the entry point to Cuttack from north Bhubaneswar.

The Metro route will cover a distance of over 20 km and will tentatively touch major landmarks such as Bhubaneswar railway station, Nandankanan, Patia, and Vani Vihar.

The project will be predominantly based on elevated corridors and will be entirely funded by the state government, said the Chief Minister.

The metro project is likely to be expanded to other nearby towns like Cuttack, Khurda and Puri in subsequent phases, said official sources.

“We have always strived to push boundaries and improve the lives of our people. And today, with the announcement of this new project, we are taking another step towards a new Odisha to provide best-in-class metro services for the people of the state,” CM Patnaik announced.

“Equipped with state-of-art facilities, it will not only offer world-class, environment-friendly urban transport for an emerging and aspirational Odisha but also spur economic activities and accelerate the expansion of our urban city cluster, covering Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khordha.

The emergence of a modern and planned city cluster will attract people, investments, trade and tourism like never before. This will be a truly transformational project implemented using the principles of 5T,” he said in a video message.

The metro project in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Khurda and Jatni is likely to entail an investment of over Rs 15,000 crore.

The metro rail will reduce the travel time between Puri and Bhubaneswar to under 30 minutes for a 64 km journey.