BHUBANESWAR (Metro Rail News): Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone of Bhubaneswar Metro Phase:01 yesterday.
Inauguration
The inauguration occurred yesterday at Trishulia Square, north of the Bhubaneswar metro. Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, Patnaik said: “This new year day will always remain special in the history of Odisha’s development journey.”
The Chief Minister of Odisha announced on April 1, the statehood day of Odisha, revealing that he will personally be inaugurating the metro project.
Bhubaneshwar Metro Phase:01
Phase 01 of the Bhubaneshwar Metro, spanning approximately 26 kilometres from the Airport to Trishulia Square, is underway with a budget of Rs 6,255 Crore. The state government approved the Detailed Project Report on October 7, 2023.
Comprising 20 stations on elevated viaducts, the first phase is managed and funded entirely by the Bhubaneshwar Metro Rail Corporation, a fully-owned entity of the Odisha government. The stations along the route include Biju Patnaik Airport, Capital Hospital, Sishu Bhawan, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Ram Mandir Square, Vani Vihar, Acharya Vihar Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, Xavier Square, Rail Sadan, District Centre, Damana Square, Patia Square, KIIT Square, Nandan Vihar, Raghunathpur, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Phulapokhari, and Trisulia.
The central Depot of the Metro Rail Project will be situated near Trisulia Square, housing the command and control centre and stabilising facilities for the metro trains.
Approval & DPR
A high-level committee has also been formulated to oversee the metro project to ensure expeditious outcomes. The DPR has been approved with a deadline to complete the project in 48 months.
Governing Body
The government of Odisha has constituted Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) under the Companies Act, which the Government of Odisha itself wholly owns. The Government of Odisha itself will bear the entire cost of the project.
DMRC
DMRC itself has prepared the DPR for the metro. DMRC signed an MoU with the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation on 20th November for Bhubaneshwar Metro Phase 01.
The MoU between DMRC & BMRC aims to assign DMRC as the turn-key consultant for the Bhubaneswar Metro Phase 01 at a Rs. 326.56 Crore fee. Its role here would be the same as in the Jaipur, Kochi, and Mumbai Metro. Its role would be limited to that of an implementer. The Project is to be completed within a four-year deadline.
Connectivity Boost
The project is poised to improve connectivity within Bhubaneswar by linking key central locations. Looking ahead, the metro system is slated to extend its reach, connecting Puri to the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar.
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