Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, announced that the proposed metro rail project from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack will now be extended up to SCB Medical College and Hospital, with support from the Central government. This marks a significant revision to the earlier plan introduced by the previous BJD government, which had restricted the metro route to run between Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and Trisulia. Mohapatra raised concerns about the practicality of ending the route at Trisulia and emphasized the importance of ensuring last-mile connectivity. He explained that the extension would include the Cuttack Bus Terminal and SCB Medical College—locations that witness heavy daily commuter traffic. The decision, he noted, was intended to improve accessibility and convenience for residents of the twin cities. To implement the extended route, a high-level committee has been formed, comprising Principal Secretary Usha Padhee and various technical experts. The committee has been tasked with evaluating viable routes by studying existing metro systems in other Indian cities. A revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being prepared based on their findings. The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Authority has set an ambitious target to complete the project by the end of 2027. Soil testing has already been conducted at multiple sites, with samples analysed from depths of 50 to 60 feet. The metro line will be constructed 13 feet above ground, with elevation adjustments planned for locations such as Rajmahal, Jaydev Vihar, and Barang. Key stations along the proposed line will include Capital Hospital, Shishu Bhawan Square, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Ram Mandir Square, and KIIT Chowk. Following the completion of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack stretch, the metro network will be extended to Khurda and other surrounding areas. News source: English Jagran