The Odisha government has enlisted the expertise of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the ambitious Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project. The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation, a fully owned entity of the Odisha government, formalized this collaboration on Tuesday by signing a contract with the DMRC for the construction of Phase-I of the Metro Rail Project, spanning from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trishulia in Cuttack. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on a virtual platform, marking a pivotal moment in the transportation history of Odisha.
The project, scheduled to be completed in four years, holds promise for transforming the transportation landscape in the capital region, as stated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “This flagship program will symbolize the emergence of a New Odisha,” he declared. The Odisha cabinet had previously granted approval for the first phase of the Metro Project, covering a distance of 26 km from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia Square, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,255 crore. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized that this marked the single largest investment in any infrastructure project in the history of Odisha, with the entire financial burden borne by the state government.
“I am happy that my government is delivering yet another promise, which was made as part of our Manifesto in 2019,” expressed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The first phase of the project will feature 20 Metro stations, including key locations such as Capital Hospital, Rajmahal Square, Jayadev Vihar Square, and Patia Square. Elevated viaducts will host the Metro rail tracks and stations, and the project will incorporate ultra-modern coaches and advanced signaling systems.
Vikas Kumar, the Managing Director of DMRC, highlighted the opportune moment for initiating transit-oriented development in Odisha, emphasizing that it would stimulate the economy and propel growth and development in the region.
In essence, this collaboration between the Odisha government and DMRC signifies a transformative step towards modernizing transportation infrastructure, fostering economic development, and realizing the vision of a progressive Odisha.
