Bhubaneswar: The first meeting of the inter-ministerial sub-committee on Bhubaneswar metro rail project was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan in the Odisha capital here today.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo presided over the meeting. The meeting discussed the key modalities for implementation, inter- departmental coordination, strong and efficient public transport system in the capital city, comprehensive mobility plan for traffic decongestion and rail-road transition among other things.

As per the decision taken at the meeting, the state government will take the next steps with regard to the metro rail project keeping in mind the interest of the people and traffic decongestion. The committee held discussions in this regard with the senior officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the technical advisor for the project.

Among others, Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and Industry Minister Sampada Chandra Swain attended the meeting and presented their views on the project. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Finance Department Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra, Housing and Urban Development department secretary Usha Padhee and BMC Commissioner Rajesh Pravakar Patil also took part in the discussion.

Notably, the inter-ministerial sub-committee on the metro rail project was formed as per the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Singh Deo has been made the chairman of the committee.