Elevated metro plan for Bhubaneswar dropped

Turning the planned Bhubaneswar metro rail project on its head, the BJP government on Sunday indicated that it now wants an underground metro link instead of the originally planned elevated system.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan told media persons today that the government is working on a plan to introduce an underground metro rail network. The elevated project concept has been dropped due to various urban planning concerns, he said, adding that the landscape and traffic density of the city does not suit the elevated structure.

To go ahead with the proposed underground metro, a new alignment is being made and the Urban Development Department has been asked to conduct a proper survey, he added.

Harichandan also stated that the elevated metro project will take up the beauty of the state capital. The Housing and Urban Development Department has already begun the groundwork for preparing a plan for the project. Feasibility studies and consultations with technical experts and stakeholders are underway, he claimed.

It is pertinent to recall that the previous BJD government had conducted surveys and engaged consultants of the Delhi metro project. Soil testing was also undertaken and a detailed plan for the metro rail project was completed. Initial work had also started.