12 projects including Bhubaneswar-Cuttack metro rail line approved
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, greenlit a series of crucial projects across 11 departments, marking significant advancements, including the much-anticipated Bhubaneswar-Cuttack metro rail line.
Among the pivotal decisions, the State Cabinet sanctioned the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase I of the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project. The approved phase encompasses the construction from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia Square, estimated at a cost of Rs 5,929.38 crore.
Spanning a 26-kilometer stretch between the Airport and Trisulia, the phase will incorporate 20 stations, strategically located at Capital Hospital, Raj Mahal Square, Vani Vihar Square, Jayadev Vihar Square, and Patia Square.
Additionally, the government has given the green signal for the construction of the Berhampur Ring Road, spanning from 0km to 12/300 km in Ganjam district. This project, executed through the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, is anticipated to stimulate development in Berhampur, Chhatrapur, and Gopalpur while alleviating traffic congestion in Berhampur town.
Approval has been granted to Ashribad Eng. & Constructions Pvt. Ltd. in Joint Venture with M/S R.K. Infracorp Pvt. Ltd., holding the lowest EPC tender amounting to Rs 156,51,57,750, for the timely completion of the project within 24 months.
Furthermore, the Cabinet nodded for the construction of a barrage across the Rushikulya river near Janililli village in Ganjam district. This includes hydro-mechanical works, power and road connectivity, staff quarters, and comprehensive survey and maintenance for an extended period post-commissioning.
The Cabinet also sanctioned a tender for execution, costing Rs 86,54,00,000 excluding GST, and allocated an additional Rs 1 crore for a five-year operation and maintenance period after the project’s completion within two years.
In another significant move, the cabinet approved the “Ama Hospital” program launched under the 5T initiative earlier this year. This program aims to revamp and fortify the public health infrastructure across district headquarter hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers statewide.
This initiative entails various upgrades, including improved patient waiting areas, enhanced amenities, help desks, expanded drug distribution counters, better restroom facilities, paved internal roads, attendant rest sheds, digital display boards, and an online registration system.
The state government has allocated Rs 3,388.73 crore for the phased implementation of the scheme at 1,858 public health facilities from 2023-24 to 2027-28, with 149 facilities set to be strengthened in the first year.
Additionally, amendments are set to be made in the Odisha Regulation-2 in Scheduled areas, allowing tribals to transfer their lands to non-tribals with permission from the Sub Collector or Collector.
The Cabinet meeting also approved several other significant proposals, marking a pivotal day in advancing Odisha’s development trajectory.
