TNI Bureau: The proposal for introducing a Metro Rail system in Odisha, strongly advocated by BJD Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra, has begun to see official movement, with the Odisha government confirming that the matter is currently under examination.
In a significant development, Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, through D.O. No. 291/CM/2026 dated April 10, 2026, informed that the proposal is being actively examined by the state government.
The move follows Dr. Sasmit Patra’s letter dated April 6, 2026, addressed to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, in which he urged the Centre to consider the establishment of a Metro Rail network in Odisha, particularly focusing on the growing urban and transport needs of Bhubaneswar and its surrounding regions.
Dr. Patra had highlighted the rapid urban expansion, increasing population density, and rising traffic congestion in the capital region, stressing the urgent need for a modern, sustainable, and efficient mass rapid transit system. He argued that a Metro project would not only improve urban mobility but also significantly contribute to economic growth, investment opportunities, and planned urban development.
Following the Union Minister’s office receiving the proposal, the matter was routed to the Odisha government for examination and further action. Subsequently, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department of Odisha forwarded the proposal to the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for “information and necessary action.”
This administrative progression indicates that the proposal has moved beyond initial representation and entered the formal review stage within the state machinery.
Political observers note that the development reflects increasing recognition of Bhubaneswar’s need for advanced public transport infrastructure as the city continues to expand as an educational, technological, and administrative hub.
While no formal approval or project timeline has yet been announced, the acknowledgment from the Chief Minister’s Office and the involvement of BMRCL mark an important first step toward the possibility of Odisha’s long-discussed Metro Rail dream becoming a reality.
The issue is expected to draw considerable public interest, especially among urban planners, commuters, and residents of the capital region, where demands for better mass transit solutions have been growing steadily.
