BARSYL submits inception report on MRTS project

Project to connect capital city with Khurda with Cuttack

Hyderabad-based rail consulting firm Balaji Railroad Systems Ltd (BARSYL) has submitted the inception report on the proposed Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) that would cover the Greater Bhubaneswar region, connecting Khurda with Choudwar in Cuttack district.

“The inception report contains the technology options and viability of the proposed MRTS project. The MRTS would cover the enlarged BDA (Bhubaneswar Development Authority) area, linking Khurda with Choudwar in Cuttack district”, said G Mathi Vathanan, secretary (housing & urban development).

On Wednesday, officials of BARSYL had discussions with top state officials on the progress of the detailed project report (DPR) for the MRTS project.

BARSYL had entered into an agreement with the state government in August this year to prepare DPR for the project. The consultant will be paid Rs 2.5 crore for the assignment and submit the DPR within 10 months of signing of the pact.

The DPR work involves selection of final assignments, engineering surveys, selection of suitable track structure, suggestions for traction system and power supply, undertaking financial and sensitivity analysis, preparation of environment management plan (EMP) and working out an implementation strategy.

The Government of India will bear 50 per cent of the project cost under ‘Urban Transport Planning Scheme’. The rest 50 per cent will be contributed by the Odisha government.

The state government has constituted a 15-member high-powered committee headed by the chief secretary G C Pati to oversee the progress made in preparation of DPR for the project.

The committee's mandate is to review and monitor the progress of preparation of DPR for the MRTS project and also to advice on overall planning, designing and policy matters pertaining to the DPR preparation.

The first meeting of this committee was held on last Wednesday.