Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Faces Uncertainty as Odisha Govt Yet to Submit Proposal to Centre

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project remains uncertain due to the Odisha Government’s failure to submit a formal proposal to the Central Government.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu revealed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the Centre has not received any formal proposal from the Odisha Government for the implementation of the metro rail project.

Responding to a query from TDP MP Sribharat Mathukumilli about ongoing metro projects and funding, the Minister noted that while 17 metro proposals from various states have been approved in the last five years, none have come from Odisha.

Sahu emphasized that urban planning is a state responsibility, and under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, the Centre provides financial assistance only upon receiving state proposals, subject to feasibility and resource availability.

Announced on April 1, 2023, by the previous BJD government under Naveen Patnaik, the Bhubaneswar Metro was envisioned to enhance urban mobility. On January 1, 2024, the foundation stone for Phase 1 was laid at Ratagada near Trisulia, Cuttack, with a Rs. 1,000 crore allocation in the 2024-25 Vote-on-Account.

The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation partnered with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for execution, targeting completion within four years.

After the BJP assumed power in Odisha in 2024, Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo reviewed a revised blueprint on July 16, reaffirming commitment to the project with potential expansion plans. However, the absence of a formal proposal to the Centre raises concerns about the project’s immediate progress, leaving its future uncertain.