Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that the Bhubaneswar Metro rail project will move forward only after a detailed mobility plan and feasibility study.
He said the government remains committed to introducing a metro system but will not proceed under financially unviable conditions.
Harichandan explained that the project could lead to annual losses of Rs 1,000–2,000 crore if implemented hastily. He criticised the previous administration for pushing the project without proper planning or Central collaboration, calling the earlier contract “faulty” and the alignment “unsuitable.”
The minister confirmed that the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation will continue to exist and that the government will adopt a scientific approach once the mobility plan is complete. The plan will determine demand, routes, and city expansion needs.
He assured that the metro’s rollout will align with Bhubaneswar’s future growth and sustainability goals. The ministerial committee’s decision has full backing from the Chief Minister and Cabinet, ensuring that the project will proceed at the right time and under sound financial conditions.
