Fresh feasibility study for Bhubaneswar metro, says H&UD Minister

Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: A day after BJD MP Sasmit Patra voiced his concerns in the Rajya Sabha regarding the uncertainty over the Bhubaneswar Metro project, Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra clarified that a technical committee has been constituted to review the project.

Mahapatra informed that the committee will conduct detailed ground surveys and prepare a fresh feasibility report that will re-examine the route alignment, passenger load, technical viability, and cost implications. Based on its recommendations, the financial responsibilities of the state and central governments will be finalized. “Once the report is ready, the Chief Minister will take up the matter with the Centre for further discussions,” he said.

The Minister also pointed out flaws in the earlier proposal, claiming that the previous government neither consulted the Centre nor carried out proper assessments. “Even minor soil testing on the identified stretch had created massive traffic disruptions. Therefore, a new proposal will be prepared and submitted to the Union government for approval,” Mahapatra noted.

Meanwhile, Patra had asked the Union government about the status of the project and reasons for its delay despite Bhubaneswar’s growing urban congestion. In response, Union Housing Minister Kaushal Kishore said metro projects require adherence to Metro Policy 2017 to ensure financial sustainability. He confirmed that Odisha has now informed the Centre about its plan to restructure and reassess the Bhubaneswar Metro Phase-I under the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP).