The Odisha government has clarified that the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project has not been abandoned, but temporarily placed on hold while authorities prepare a broader and more practical urban transport strategy covering multiple cities.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the Bhubaneswar Metro Corporation remains operational and related procedural work is continuing.

According to the minister, the government is now prioritising a larger regional mobility framework instead of proceeding with a single-city metro corridor.

The revised concept centres on integrating Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri through a tri-city transport model, with Paradip also being considered as part of a future economic growth belt.

Mahapatra said the wider vision includes the creation of a mega metropolitan region spanning nearly 7,000 square km.

The proposed zone would link Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Jatni and Paradip into one interconnected urban and economic cluster.

He added that the three core cities would form the backbone of Odisha's future urbanisation strategy.

The minister also criticised the previous metro proposal, saying it had been announced without adequate planning, traffic preparation or coordination with the Centre.

He said moving ahead without parallel road alternatives would have created severe public disruption during construction and trial operations.

The project was also reviewed due to lower-than-expected ridership estimates, technical concerns and the need to align with the National Metro Rail Policy.