Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, is set to lay the foundation stone for the much-anticipated Bhubaneswar metro rail project on January 1, 2024, according to officials. In a significant development, Patnaik has also given his approval for the detailed project report (DPR), which carries a budget exceeding Rs 5,900 crore, and this financial commitment will be solely undertaken by the state government.

An official source confirmed, "The chief minister is slated to lay the foundation stone for the project on January 1, 2024," underscoring the importance of this milestone for the state.

During a review of the progress of Phase-I of the metro rail project, Patnaik granted his endorsement to the DPR. "The DPR has been approved at a total cost of Rs 5,929 crore, which will be fully borne by the state government," the official added.

With work on the project set to commence in the near future, the targeted timeline for completion stands at 48 months, as conveyed by another official. Chief Minister Patnaik emphasized the transformative impact of the Bhubaneswar metro project on Odisha, stating, "The Bhubaneswar metro is a landmark project for Odisha... It will further strengthen public transport in the city and enable its economic growth."

The forthcoming Bhubaneswar metro rail project holds immense promise for the state's transportation infrastructure and is poised to contribute significantly to the region's economic development.