Odisha Govt Allocates ₹210 Crore for Metro Rail Project in 2023-24 Supplementary Budget

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development for Odisha, the state government has allocated a substantial sum of Rs 210 crore for the eagerly awaited Metro rail project. This allocation was announced as part of the Supplementary Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, with the Finance Minister of Odisha, BK Arukha, presenting the budget worth Rs 28,200 crore.

Apart from the Metro project, the budget allocates funds for various other crucial initiatives. Notably, Rs 1302 crore has been earmarked for “Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha,” while Rs 783 crore has been allocated for “Mission Shakti.” Urban development will receive Rs 1046 crore, and the Fasal Bima Yojana has been allotted Rs 400 crore. Additionally, Rs 100 crore has been set aside for the Smart City initiative, while the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana will benefit from Rs 550 crore. Moreover, Rs 1136 crore has been allocated for the development of SC, ST, and OBC minorities.

The Metro train project, which was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on April 1, is set to connect Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack. The Metro service is expected to commence its operations from Bhubaneswar airport, covering key stations such as Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Vani Vihar, Jaydev Vihar, Patia, Nandankanan, and Trisulia. Furthermore, there are plans to extend the project to Puri in the future.