Bhubaneswar Metro Rail: Transforming Urban Mobility in Odisha
The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, launched to improve urban mobility in Odisha, is advancing with Phase 1 expected to be operational by December 2027. This initial phase will connect Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar with Trisulia Square in Cuttack via a 26 km elevated line, encompassing 20 stations along this corridor.
Notable stops include key urban centers like Ram Mandir Square, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, and Xavier Square. The state government has budgeted approximately ₹6,256 crore for this phase, entirely funded by the state, and allocated an initial ₹1,000 crore to kickstart construction efforts.
Construction preparations include soil testing along the planned route and excavation for station foundations near Patia. The metro will operate on a 750V DC traction system with a fleet of 13 three-coach trains, expected to arrive at 10-minute intervals. Additionally, a depot is being built near Trisulia on a 16-hectare site to support metro operations.
This project, managed by the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as a consultant, is part of broader efforts to expand metro connectivity in Odisha, potentially linking Cuttack, Khurda, and Puri in future phases.
