Fresh proposal for Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project soon: Urban Development Minister

The Odisha government has decided to submit a fresh proposal for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project to the Centre, seeking its collaboration for the ambitious urban transport initiative, said Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday.

Speaking to the media in Bhubaneswar, Mahapatra informed that in the second meeting of the ministerial-level sub-committee on the metro project, it was decided that a new technical committee will be formed to assess the current situation and suggest routes for the project. The committee will visit various cities, study local conditions, and prepare a detailed report on the new track alignment.

As part of the plan, a Comprehensive Mobility Plan has been prepared, outlining potential routes, parking zones, and other facilities. Public opinion will also be sought before finalising the project details.

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The earlier metro plan has been scrapped due to severe traffic congestion along the proposed route. Officials noted that even during the testing phase, the situation had caused significant public inconvenience. To avoid similar problems, the new technical committee will recommend alternative routes for smoother execution of the project.

“A comprehensive mobility plan will be formulated. A team will visit various cities where metros are operational and review it. We will take centre’s help to execute the metro plan,” the Minister said.

“A new technical committee was formed today. It will decided the routes, parking and submit the report. We will seek locals’ suggestions too,” Mahapatra added.