Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal for the construction of Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Phase 1 with an estimated cost of Rs 5929.38 crore.

Briefing newspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary P K Jena said the Cabinet also decided that the project will be constructed by Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Ltd through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

The cost includes taxes and the fee of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Turn Key Consultant) is fixed at Rs 326.56 crore.

The Chief Minister sanctioned augmenting infrastructure with the Metro Rail project for Bhubaneswar Capital Region under the 5T initiative covering the route from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trishula square in the first phase on April 1, 2023, to facilitate comfortable, safer, and convenient transportation for the public in Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Cuttack, and Puri region.

The first phase of the project is targeted for completion in four years.

The first phase of the project will have 20 metro stations including the capital hospital, Rajmhal Square, Vani Vihar, square, Jaydev Vihar Square, and Patia square from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trishula square (26 km.)

The metro rail tracks and stations will be on elevated viaducts.

Ultra-modern coaches will be deployed and an advanced ticketing system and signalling system will be adopted.

(With UNI inputs)