The first phase of the Bhubaneswar Metro project is set for completion by December 2027, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said. The announcement came after a review meeting on Saturday, where Sarangi highlighted that the metro trains will operate over a 26-kilometre stretch in this initial phase, which will have 20 stations.
Thirteen trains, each with three coaches, will service the route, accommodating approximately 95,000 passengers daily. Stations will be strategically located with ten in Bhubaneswar North, four in Central Bhubaneswar, three in Ekamra Bhubaneswar and three in Cuttack, the Lok Sabha MP said.
Bhubaneshwar metro's first phase will feature stations, designed to reflect Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. The design work for viaducts, piers, and stations is progressing, ensuring the project remains on track for the December 2027 deadline.
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The project is estimated to cost Rs 6,256 crore, with the Odisha government bearing the full expenditure initially. Of the 92.5 acres required for the project, 77 acres have already been acquired, with the remaining 15 acres expected to be secured soon. An additional 54 acres will be temporarily needed for construction-related activities, of which 40 acres have been allocated.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is the turnkey consultant for the project. BMRC officials reported that Rs 460 crore has been spent so far, including Rs 250 crore released in October. Another Rs 350 crore is expected by March 2025. Soil testing and the establishment of the metro depot and casting yard at Ratagada and Malipada are underway, with 10 per cent of the soil testing completed.