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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has officially terminated construction contracts for the Bhubaneswar Metro project, citing long-standing execution delays.
Agreements with Ceigall India Limited and Ranjit Buildcon, the two contractors tasked with building elevated viaducts and stations for Phase I, were scrapped on July 25, bringing the stalled project under renewed scrutiny.
An official release from the firms stated that the termination covers the design and construction of elevated viaducts and six metro stations between Nandan Vihar and Trisulia Square, including the depot ramp.
According to a filing under SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements, Ceigall India has been informed that the project has been scrapped in its current form. The firm has indicated plans to pursue compensation under existing contractual remedies.
Work Halted for 8 Months
Sources confirm that construction work has remained suspended for nearly eight months, with no visible progress on the ground. The delays reportedly stem from a combination of logistical, financial, and coordination issues between the contractors and DMRC. Termination was initiated to reset the process rather than abandon the project altogether.
Despite the abrupt termination, government officials maintain that the Bhubaneswar Metro project is still alive, albeit in a revised form.
Revised Metro Plan in the Works
Earlier on July 16, a high-level sub-committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, discussed the future of the Bhubaneswar Metro and broader urban mobility plans for the capital. Officials examined proposals aimed at decongesting city traffic and enhancing public transport infrastructure, placing the metro project at the centre of these strategies.
Speaking after the meeting, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan had stated that a dedicated inter-ministerial task force is already working on a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR), with an aim to re-initiate metro construction under a new roadmap.
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Once the updated DPR is finalised, fresh tenders will be floated, and construction activities are expected to resume.
