Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to extend the proposed metro train route in Bhubaneswar to ensure the project’s viability, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra announced on Tuesday. The move comes as part of the state’s efforts to enhance urban connectivity and make the metro project more beneficial for commuters.
The previous BJD government had planned Phase-I of the metro project, covering a 26-kilometer stretch from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Trisulia in Cuttack, with an estimated investment of ₹6,225 crore. However, the current government is revisiting the plan to expand the route further into Cuttack city and other areas.
Addressing the media, Minister Mahapatra clarified, “Our government is committed to executing the metro project. We are neither against it nor planning to scrap it. However, we want to ensure that the project is viable and serves a larger purpose.” He questioned the practicality of terminating the metro at Trisulia, asking, “What will someone do by going only up to Trisulia?”
To address these concerns, the government has formed an expert committee to study and recommend a more practical and efficient route. A revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) will soon be prepared to incorporate the extended route, ensuring the metro connects Bhubaneswar and Cuttack more effectively.
The Minister also highlighted plans to construct an elevated corridor on the busy Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan Road in Bhubaneswar. The lower level of the corridor will be designated for vehicular traffic, while the upper level will be reserved for the metro train service.
In a written statement to the State Assembly, Mahapatra revealed that work on the metro rail project began on November 20, 2023, with a target completion date of 2027. The state government has allocated ₹210 crore for the project in 2023-24 and sanctioned an additional ₹1,000 crore for the current financial year, of which ₹393 crore has already been utilized.
The extension of the metro route and the construction of the elevated corridor are expected to significantly improve urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and provide seamless connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
