Cuttack, January 1: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project that would link the Bhubaneswar, the State capital and Cuttack in the next four years.
“The foundation of new Odisha has been laid on the occasion of New Year. The metro rail project will be completed in four years. Today will always remain in the history of Odisha’s development,” said Patnaik, while laying the foundation stone at Ratagada Lenka Sahi near Trishulia of Cuttack district.
Patnaik arrived at the venue in a roadshow.
In the first phase, the project will connect Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia Square. The project will be carried out with an expenditure of Rs 6,255 crore by the State Government. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will execute the project as a turn-key consultant and charge a fee of Rs 326.56 crore.
The first phase of the metro rail project will cover 26 km with 20 stations– Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), 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, Nanadankanan Zoological Park, Phulapokhari and Trisulia Square. The entire 26-km stretch will be on an elevated viaduct.
The metro project is likely to be expanded to other nearby towns like Cuttack, Khurda and Puri in subsequent phases, said sources.
