The foundation stone for the metro train project is set to be placed in June, according to G Mathi Vathanan, secretary of the housing and urban development department, who made the announcement on Friday. He made this statement during Friday’s performance review of his department by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
He declared that Naveen will erect the project’s first stone. The Capital Area Metro Rail System Project, which will link Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, was recently approved by the chief minister. Later, Jatni, Khurda, and Puri would all be connected to the state capital, he continued.
Mathi Vathanan said a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared for connecting Bhubaneswar with Cuttack. “Our consultant, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), is conducting the survey for the project. It is almost complete,” he added. He said metro rail construction work will be a huge task, including underground sewerage system and civil engineering work. “The government will float tender for the construction work. Based on the DPR, the decision will be taken on routes, alignment and other related works. The masterplan will be developed to integrate Bhubaneswar-Cuttack line with Khurda-Jatni line and the Puri line,” he added.
Usha Devi, the minister of urban development, told the local media that the metro rail system for the capital city of Bhubaneswar is expected to start construction before the end of the year.
CM Naveen had launched the metro rail project, which will be centred primarily on elevated corridors, on Utkal Dibas (Odisha Statehood Day). Although the government has not released the project’s estimated cost, official sources predict that the first phase, which spans about 30 km from Trisulia to Biju Patnaik International Airport, will cost roughly Rs 5,000 crore.
Official sources said this project will offer world-class, environment friendly urban transport for an emerging and aspirational Odisha. “It will also spur economic activities and accelerate expansion of urban city clusters covering Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khurda,” a government statement said.
Prasanta Patnaik