The Odisha government has initiated the process of evaluating a proposal for an elevated rapid transit corridor connecting Bargarh, Sambalpur, and Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport at Jharsuguda, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The proposal, submitted by former Sambalpur MP Bhabani Shankar Hota, has been forwarded by the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department to the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) and Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) for technical examination.
The agencies have been instructed to assess its feasibility and provide their observations before any further action is taken.
Initially sent to the Prime Minister’s Office in February, the proposal was subsequently referred to the Odisha government for appropriate action.
Following a preliminary review, the Commerce and Transport Department forwarded it to the H&UD Department, which has now officially commenced the assessment process.
The proposed elevated corridor will connect Bargarh, Goshala, Jyoti Vihar, VIMSAR, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Sambalpur town, Jamadarpali airstrip, Rengali, and VSS Airport.
If implemented, the network would link key educational institutions, healthcare facilities, industrial centers, and transport hubs across the region.
Additionally, the project would enhance access to major institutions, including IIM Sambalpur, Odisha State Open University, the OUAT College of Agriculture, the CRPF Group Centre, VIMSAR, and VSSUT, while improving connectivity to the region’s airport.
