"Foundation Stone for ₹5,900-Crore Bhubaneswar Metro Project Set to Be Laid on January 1"

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to Lay Foundation Stone for ₹5,900-Crore Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project on January 1, 2024"

Bhubaneswar, [Current Date] - In a significant development, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to mark the commencement of the Bhubaneswar metro rail project by laying its foundation stone on January 1, 2024, according to official sources.

Additionally, Chief Minister Patnaik has given his approval for the detailed project report (DPR) of this ambitious undertaking, valued at over ₹5,900 crore. The entirety of this substantial financial burden will be shouldered by the State government, officials have confirmed.

An official statement indicated, "The Chief Minister is slated to lay the foundation stone for the project on January 1, 2024."

The decision to proceed with the project was made after Chief Minister Patnaik thoroughly reviewed the status of Phase-I of the metro rail initiative. The approved DPR encompasses a comprehensive budget of ₹5,929 crore, entirely financed by the State government.

With the green light from the government, work on the Bhubaneswar metro project is poised to commence shortly, and the envisaged timeline for its completion stands at 48 months, according to another official source.

Emphasizing the significance of the Bhubaneswar metro rail project, Chief Minister Patnaik stated, "The Bhubaneswar metro is a landmark project for Odisha... It will further strengthen the public transport in the city and enable its economic growth."

The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation, a wholly-owned entity under the aegis of the Odisha government, has been recently established under the Companies Act and is already operational. In an effort to expedite the project, a high-level committee has been constituted to oversee the selection of an executing agency.

Notably, the entire alignment of the metro rail project, stretching from Trisulia Square to Bhubaneswar airport, will be elevated and encompass 20 stations. This infrastructure development holds great promise for enhancing public transportation in Bhubaneswar and contributing to the city's economic advancement.

HBL