DMRC signs MoU with Odisha for metro rail in Bhubaneswar

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said this pact signals the emergence of a new epoch in the transportation history of Odisha, an official statement said

Published on: Nov 20, 2023, 20:15:18 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for phase I of the metro rail project to link the city with Cuttack over the next 4 years.

DMRC managing director Vikas Kumar said it was an opportune time to start transit-oriented development in Odisha

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who attended the event via video conferencing, said the ₹6,255 crore project to be funded by the state government signals the emergence of a new epoch in Odisha’s transportation history.

“This is the single largest investment made in any infrastructure project in the history of Odisha. The entire cost of the project will be borne by the state government. This is a flagship programme under the 5T Initiative of my government that will also symbolize the emergence of a New Odisha,” he said, underlining that the project would transform the transportation landscape in the state’s capital region.

DMRC managing director Vikas Kumar said it was an opportune time to start transit-oriented development in Odisha. It will spruce up the economy and push growth and development in the region, he added.

The metro project from Bhubaneswar airport to Trisulia in Cuttack will be on an elevated structure and run on the median or side of the existing roads, with 20 stations.

The 26-km long project will have 20 metro stations including Capital Hospital, Rajmahal Square, Jayadev Vihar Square, and Patia Square.

The metro project is likely to be expanded to other nearby towns including Khurda and Puri in subsequent phases.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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