Bhubaneswar : In a major policy shift, the Odisha government has terminated the previous contract for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, citing non-compliance and failure to provide compensation as per the rules by the contracted firms—CEIGIL India Limited and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC).
The contract, initially awarded during the tenure of the former government, has been revoked after repeated requests for compensation were ignored. Sources suggest that the state administration took this bold step following serious concerns over delays and accusations by the firms that effectively stalled the progress of the metro project.
The development was highlighted during the first meeting of a sub-committee on urban transport, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kankar Bardhan Singhdeo at Lok Seva Bhavan. Despite the significance of the agenda, no definitive decisions were reached regarding the future structure of the metro system—whether it will be elevated or underground, nor were the proposed routes or implementation phases discussed.
Instead, the meeting emphasized broader goals, focusing on reducing urban congestion, implementing an integrated traffic and transit plan, and enhancing rail-road interchange mechanisms. Key discussions revolved around various ongoing and upcoming road and flyover projects in Bhubaneswar, undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD).
The committee highlighted the need for a future-ready transit infrastructure plan, with a 20-year vision to meet the city’s rapid urban growth and mobility needs.
