Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project for which over Rs 6255 crore will be spent by the state government.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the much-awaited project’s first phase at Ratagada Lenka Sahi near Trishulia. On completion, the project is set to emerge as a new lifeline for the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
It will provide an easy transport facility from Bhubaneswar airport to Cuttack via Trishulia under the metro railway project.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the foundation of new Odisha has been laid on the occasion of New Year. The metro rail project will be completed in four years and the people of the state will avail facility of metro rail. “Today will always remain in the history of Odisha’s development,” he said.
The project, he said, will have 20 stations from Bhubaneswar airport to Trishulia and it will cost more than Rs 6000 crore. The entire amount will be borne by the state government and this is the single largest investment made in any infrastructure project in the history of Odisha. It is the flagship programme under the 5T initiative, he said.
The Chief Minister further said that he has asked for preparation of a master plan for the extension of metro rail to Khurda, Puri and Cuttack.
In the first phase, the project will connect Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here with Trisulia Square. The project will be carried out with an expenditure of Rs 6,255 crore by the State Government.
The first phase of the metro rail project will cover 26 km with 20 stations– Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Capital Hospital, Sishu Bhawan, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Ram Mandir Square, Vani Vihar, Acharya Vihar Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, Xavier Square, Rail Sadan, District Centre, Damana Square, Patia Square, KIIT Square, Nandan Vihar, Raghunathpur, Nanadankanan Zoological Park, Phulapokhari and Trisulia Square.
Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation has signed an MoU with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for the project.
The project is targeted to be completed in four years. The metro rail tracks and stations will be on elevated viaducts.
The CM had announced the project on the occasion of Utkala Dibasa on April 1, 2023. 5T Chairman V K Pandian had visited Trishulia on October 29 to take stock of the progress in project before the foundation laying ceremony. The state Cabinet approved phase-I of the project at a cost of Rs 6,255 crore in November.
In the same month, the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation signed a contract with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for construction of metro rail from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Trishulia. The DMRC will execute the project as a turn-key consultant and charge a fee of Rs 326.56 crore. The first phase work of the metro rail is targeted to be completed in 4 years.
Following are main features of the Bhubaneswar Metro:
• Length of the project from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia square is 26 km.
• There will be 20 metro stations including Capital Hospital, Rajmahal Square, Jayadev Vihar Square and Patia Square.
• The metro rail tracks and stations will be on elevated viaducts.
• Ultra-modern coaches and signalling system will be adopted.
• Advanced Ticketing System.
