Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today laid the foundation stone for the first phase of the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project.
Attending a function organized at Barang Ratagadh on this occasion, the Patnaik said that today will be a special day in the development history of the state.
“A big transformation is coming in the transportation sector. Today I am fulfilling the promise I made for metro rail,” Patnaik added.
The Chief Minister said that LAccMI scheme has brought transformation in villages; the metro rail project will take this transformation further. The connection between Old Capital Cuttack with New Capital Bhubaneswar will be further strengthened.
Stating about the excitement and enthusiasm of the people while he was coming, the Chief Minister said that “While coming here thousands of people greeted me on the way. Their happiness made me very happy too. I pray to the Lord let this happiness, this joy of the New Year, remain forever . Let the Festival of Development move forward with your support.”
The Chief Minister said that the first phase of the metro rail project will be constructed from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trishulia covering 26 km. The project will have 20 stations and will cost Rs 6,255.94 crore.
The Chief Minister said that this is a flagship project of the state in 5T initiative. Stating that the entire cost of the project will be borne by the state government, he said that it is the biggest investment in infrastructure sector in the history of Odisha.
The Chief Minister said that he has asked for the preparation of a master plan for the extension of metro rail to Khurda, Puri and Cuttack. The Chief Minister called for creation of a new Odisha, an empowered Odisha.
It is worth noting that before laying the foundation stone at Baranga Ratagada Patnaik held a roadshow on the 26 km route of the proposed metro project.
The Chief Minister first garlanded Bijubabu’s statue at Airport Chowk. He then held a road-show and greeted the crowd at Capital Hospital Chowk, 120 Battalion, Jaydev Bihar Chowk, Xavier Chowk, Rail Sadan, District Centre, Indian Oil Chowk, KIIT Chowk, Nandan Vihar and Raghunathpur.
At Nandankanan Chowk, the CM unveiled a statue of Biju Patnaik. From there greeting people at Barang Chowk and Phulapokhari he reached at Barang Ratagadh and laid the foundation stone of the metro rail project. After laying the foundation stone CM addressed the gathering.
It is worth noting that in April this year, the Chief Minister announced the launch of this metro rail project in Odisha. On October 29, 5T Chairman VK Pandian visited Trishulia to review the progress of preparations.
The Cabinet approved the project on November 14, 2023. The project report was prepared within just 4 months of approval and the foundation stone was laid today.
The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation has signed a contract with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the construction of the metro railway from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Trishulia. The DMRC will execute the project as a turn-key consultant.
Ashok Panda, Minister for Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability attended the program and said that it was a long awaited dream of the people of the state to run Metro Rail from the Temple City Bhubaneswar to the old capital Cuttack. Today, that was fulfilled through this project. It will help people in all areas including urbanization, transportation, Panda added.
Ranendra Pratap, Minister of for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, who was one of the guests, said that this project, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Chief Minister today, is going to create a unique identity for Odisha. This project is a symbol of pride for entire Odisha along with Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi attended the program and said that through this project, our traffic problems will be eliminated and transit will be improved and it will help in employment and economic growth and will give us a modern look.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian also participated in the programme.
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das gave welcome speech, MLA Banki Devi Ranjan Tripathi, MLA Chaudwar-Cuttack Sauvik Biswal, Bhubaneswar North MLA Susant Rout, Bhubaneswar MLA Anant Narayan Jena, Cuttack Sadar MLA Chandrashekhar Sarthi Behera attended the event. They said that Chief Minister’s name will be engraved forever in the history of Odisha.
Like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, we also had a dream for metro in Odisha. The Chief Minister has made our dreams come true.
They said that because of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Odisha today is no more neglected in any area.
Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
