Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the Bhubaneswar Metro rail project will move forward only after a detailed mobility plan and a thorough feasibility study are completed. He said the government remains committed to introducing a metro system for the twin city area but will not approve any step that is financially unviable. The minister emphasised that scientific assessment will guide decisions rather than haste.

Harichandan warned that a rushed implementation could impose annual losses of Rs 10–20 billion (bn) and said the previous administration had pursued the scheme without adequate planning or collaboration with the Central government. He described the earlier contract as faulty and the alignment as unsuitable, noting that those shortcomings increased fiscal and operational risk. The current approach will therefore prioritise rigorous cost?benefit analysis and demand forecasting.

The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation will continue to exist as an institutional vehicle while technical studies are carried out, according to the minister. The mobility plan will assess projected ridership, route options, station placement and the implications of city expansion so that alignment and capacity match future needs. Officials will examine phased implementation and multimodal integration to reduce risk and improve financial sustainability. Analyses will include scenarios for phased funding and realistic revenue estimates.

The ministerial committee overseeing the exercise has secured the backing of the Chief Minister and the Cabinet, ensuring that the project will proceed only at an appropriate time and under sound financial conditions. The government intends to pursue central collaboration and transparent procurement to avoid past mistakes and to align the project with Bhubaneswar’s long term growth and sustainability objectives. Stakeholder consultations and environmental considerations will form part of the scientific approach.