Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Member of Parliament (MP) Aparajita Sarangi today provided an update on the much-anticipated Bhubaneswar Metro project following a review meeting. She confirmed that the first phase of the project is set to be completed by December 2027, with metro trains covering a distance of 26 kilometers.
The first phase of the Bhubaneswar Metro will feature 20 stations spread across various key locations in the city and surrounding areas. Three stations will be located in Ekamra, four stations in Central Bhubaneswar, and 10 stations in North Bhubaneswar, while three stations will be set up in Cuttack. MP Sarangi emphasized that each station will be designed to reflect Odisha’s rich culture and heritage, incorporating traditional elements to enhance the cultural identity of the metro system.
Sarangi revealed that 13 trains would operate in the first phase, each comprising three coaches, and the metro is expected to serve around 95,000 passengers daily. The detailed project report for the metro was approved by the Odisha Government in November 2023, with the total cost of the project estimated at ₹6,256 crore.
As of now, the project has seen significant financial progress. Since November 2023, ₹460 crore has been spent on the development, with the State Government allocating ₹250 crore in October. An additional ₹350 crore is expected to be allocated by March 23, 2025, and a further ₹1,750 crore is proposed for the 2025-26 financial year. The project is being executed through a joint collaboration between Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC), the State Government, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
Regarding land acquisition, Sarangi shared that 92 acres have been acquired for the first phase, although 15 acres remain to be possessed. Additionally, 40 acres of land have been acquired in Malipada, where the metro office and ongoing construction work are situated.