Bhubaneswar: The proposed metro rail project for connecting Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Khordha announced today will be predominantly based on elevated corridors and will be entirely funded by the Odisha government.
“The project will be predominantly based on elevated corridors and will be entirely funded by the State government,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while announcing the metro rail project today on the occasion of Utkal Dibasa.
The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has been asked to complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed project.
“I have asked the Housing and Urban Development Department to complete the DPR on a war footing,” Patnaik informed.
The Chief Minister said that the project has been studied by various stakeholders and feasibility reports have been prepared.
“In the first phase, we will create the metro trunk route from Trisulia near Cuttack to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. The route will tentatively touch major landmarks such as Nandankanan, Patia, Vani Vihar, Railway Station and so on. As the project is starting from near Subash Bose Setu, it will enable commuters from Cuttack to access important locations in Bhubaneswar. In later phases the metro will expand to Khordha and Puri,” he said.
Patnaik pointed out that his government has always strived to push boundaries and improve the lives of the people.
He said the announcement of this new project is another step towards a New Odisha to provide best-in-class metro services for the people of the state.
“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,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that 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 added.
“This is the New Odisha we are aspiring to create as our humble tribute to the people and the creators of our beloved State of Odisha,” Patnaik opined.