Cuttack on Track: Odisha Metro Extends to SCB Hospital

Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, announced that the state’s metro rail project will now extend to Cuttack, reaching SCB Medical College and Hospital, with key financial backing from the central government. This move is aimed at improving daily accessibility for the thousands who visit the hospital.

Criticizing the previous BJD government’s limited metro plan—stretching only from Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) to Trisulia—Minister Mohapatra questioned the practicality of ending the line at a midpoint with no major transit destinations. In contrast, the current government has prioritized a more comprehensive plan that includes Cuttack’s bus terminal and SCB Medical College.

To chart the most effective route for the extension, a committee of senior officials, including Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, has been formed. Their recommendations are being used to revise the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The central government has pledged funding support for the expansion, marking a cooperative effort to boost regional infrastructure. Under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the metro extension is a top priority.

The first phase of the Bhubaneswar Metro—26 km from BPIA to Trisulia—was launched by the former government on November 20, 2023, with a projected cost of ₹6,225 crore and completion target of 2027. The newly planned extension into Cuttack signals a major upgrade, offering better connectivity for both cities and enhanced urban mobility.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.