THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MAY 1, 2026
The Odisha government has reaffirmed
its commitment to the proposed metro rail project linking Bhubaneswar, Cuttack
and Puri, making it clear that the ambitious mass transit initiative has only
been put on hold for a comprehensive review and not abandoned.
Urban Development Minister Krushna
Chandra Mahapatra said the state is re-evaluating the project under a revised
framework to ensure its financial viability, operational sustainability and
seamless integration with the region's evolving transport infrastructure.
The clarification comes amid
speculation following the state cabinet's decision to terminate its agreement
with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The cabinet had also approved
reimbursement of ₹273.51 crore spent during the
project's initial phase, based on recommendations of an inter-ministerial
committee.
The committee had raised concerns over
the project's feasibility, citing lower-than-anticipated ridership projections
and deviations from the provisions of the National Metro Rail Policy, 2017.
Emphasising the need for holistic
urban planning, Mahapatra said, "If the metro is implemented without
alternative roads, people will face inconvenience."
He stressed that the government is
prioritising the development of supporting road infrastructure and allied
transport systems before moving ahead with the metro project. The objective, he
said, is to create an efficient, integrated and commuter-friendly urban
mobility network.
The proposed metro corridor connecting
Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack is expected to significantly boost regional
connectivity, ease traffic congestion and catalyse economic growth across
Odisha's key urban centres.
Officials said the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) continues to remain operational while the government explores alternative funding structures, execution models and strategies for multi-modal integration, including robust first- and last-mile connectivity.
With the project under active consideration, the state government has signalled that Odisha's metro dream remains firmly on track, albeit with a more sustainable and future-ready blueprint.
