The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday for phase I of the metro rail project, which would connect the city with Cuttack over the next four years.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who attended the occasion via video conference, said the 6,255 crore project, which will be sponsored by the state government, heralds the beginning of a new era in the state’s transportation history.
“This is the single largest investment made in any infrastructure project in the history of Odisha. The entire cost of the project will be borne by the state government. This is a flagship programme under the 5T Initiative of my government that will also symbolize the emergence of a New Odisha,” he said, underlining that the project would transform the transportation landscape in the state’s capital region.
DMRC managing director Vikas Kumar said it was an opportune time to start transit-oriented development in Odisha. It will spruce up the economy and push growth and development in the region, he added.
The 20-station metro project from Bhubaneswar airport to Trisulia in Cuttack would be elevated and run on the middle or side of existing roadways.
The 26-kilometer-long project would include 20 metro stations such as Capital Hospital, Rajmahal Square, Jayadev Vihar Square, and Patia Square.
In following phases, the metro project is expected to be expanded to other adjacent towns such as Khurda and Puri.
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