Odisha plans metro, signs contract for DPR preparation

The proposed metro will run between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar; project report to be submitted in 10 months

The Odisha government on Saturday signed a Rs 2.52 crore agreement to draw up a detailed project report (DPR) for a metro rail service between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

The agreement was signed between Secundarabad-based Balaji Railroad System Limited (BRS) and the state's Housing and Urban Development department. The company will prepare the DPR of the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) covering the 30-km distance between the two cities.

BRS has to submit the report in 10 months, said Housing and Urban Development Minister Pushpendra Singhdeo, who was present during the signing of the agreement.

The project financing structure involves 50% funding by the centre under the Urban Transport Planning scheme and the remainder by the Odisha government.

The broad scope of work for the agency is to prepare the DPR covering traffic demand assessment and system selection, including mobility analysis, alignment study, multimodal land-integration plan, land acquisition details, and transit-oriented development.

The agency will also study the economic analysis of the project which will assist the government in deciding on its implementation.