Bhubaneswar: Fulfilling the dreams of the people of Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today laid the foundation stone for the state’s first metro rail project. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for Bhubaneswar Metro Rail that will connect the Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia on the outskirts of Cuttack. Naveen laid the foundation stone at a special program held at Ratagada Lenka sahi near Baranga. Before the foundation laying program, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik garlanded the statue of Biju Babu at the Airport and proceeded to Trisulia in a mega road show. Naveen was accorded a rousing welcome by the people of Bhubaneswar who eagerly waited for him at 12 different places.
The Metro Rail Project will be implemented under the 5T Initiatives and the government of Odisha will spend an estimated Rs 5929.38 crore on its own. Naveen had announced the state’s first metro rail project on Utkal Diwas last year. In just eight months, funds have been allocated and the initial work for the project already started. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will work as the turnkey consultant for the project. The first phase of the 26-km metro rail project will have 20 stations. Subsequently, the project will be extended to Cuttack and Puri in both directions.