Bhubaneswar: Foundation stone for the much hyped Metro Rail Project to be laid on New Year day.
Chairman 5T & Nabina Odisha V K Pandian along with senior officials reviewed the work of the proposed Metro Rail Project early this morning.
The mass public transport project will connect the twin city of Bhubaneswar & Cuttack.
The Phase I of the Metro Rail project will connect Bhubaneswar Airport with Trisulia Square, via Chandrasekharpur. Jaydev Vihar, Vani Vihar, Master Canteen and Rajmahal Square.
Shri Pandian discussed and facilitated decisions for timely commencement of the construction of Metro Rail project.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced the project on Odisha Dibas on 1st April 2023 for which the Detailed Project Report has been approved by the Government.
A Master Plan for extending the Metro Rail service to other areas of Bhubaneswar and to Khordha, Puri and Cuttack towns is being developed through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
Trisulia is going to emerge as a major traffic hub to serve Bhubaneswar and Cuttack cities as well as emerge as gateway to the Twin city from Banki and Athgarh side.
The Central Depot of the Metro Rail project will be located near Trisulia Square where the Command & Control Centre as well as the maintenance and stabling facilities for the Metro trains will be constructed. A New Bus Stand is being constructed at Trisulia Square, which will be further expanded and integrated with the metro station.
Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha expressed satisfaction on the progress made by various departments and agencies and directed officials to complete the preparatory work in time ahead of the foundation stone for the project to be laid by the Chief Minister on January 1,2024.
He instructed that the works must be monitored very closely, observing principles of 5T to ensure timely completion of the project within a four years schedule.
He also asked officials to ensure that the project realizes the vision of the Chief Minister of a world class urban transport system for the aspirational Odisha.
Shri Pandian advised that the metro system should leverage the latest technologies and most advanced equipment to provide an efficient mobility solution to passengers.
He asked officials to ensure that other modes of transport are aligned with metro rail stoppages for the seamless movement of passengers.
He also advised officials to ensure that the project planning should be done in such a way so that it has enough room for long term future expansions.
Meanwhile, Shri Pandian made a surprise visit to the newly constructed Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) to get feedback from people and see the cleanliness at the state of the art terminal.
He interacted with passengers, vendors, service providers, bus operators and other staff members. He asked officials to further strengthen the integrated information management system which will enhance the passenger experience and hassle free movement of passengers.
The officials also visited the transformed Taladanda Canal. He advised that the visual aesthetics along the canal should be maintained so it continues to be a recreational hub for the people of Cuttack city.
5T Chief was accompanied by Anu Garg, Development Commissioner, Manoj Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary, E&IT Department, senior officials of Cuttack District Administration, Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation and Works Department.
