₹273.51 Cr Spent, Metro Project Terminated: Odisha Eyes New Transit Plan
Bhubaneswar: In a significant policy shift, the Odisha Cabinet has approved retrospective expenditure of Rs 273.51 crore on the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project up to December 31, 2025, while simultaneously terminating its agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The decision comes after feasibility concerns highlighted non‑compliance with the National Metro Rail Policy 2017, low traffic demand, and poor ridership projections that risked heavy annual operating losses.
An Inter‑Ministerial Committee (IMC) will now recommend future liabilities and expenditures directly to the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will be repurposed as the nodal agency for inter‑departmental coordination under the state’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Transition Plan.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide technical assistance for a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) covering the Bhubaneswar‑Cuttack‑Puri‑Paradeep Economic Region.
The CMP will emphasise transit‑oriented development, multi‑modal integration, and inclusive, sustainable mobility solutions.
This strategic pivot aligns with Odisha’s long‑term vision of “Vikshit Odisha by 2036,” shifting focus from a standalone metro to a regionally integrated sustainable urban mobility framework.
