Bhubaneswar, Jan. 10: The French government has evinced keen interest in supporting the Odisha government’s effort to develop the existing public transport system in Bhubaneswar.

Agence Franchise De Development, French government financial institution, whose officials are on a two-day visit of the state, is likely to provide a soft loan of Rs 600 crore to upgrade the transport system of Bhubaneswar.

The project will be taken up under the proposed Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

Housing and urban development special secretary S.K. Rath said: “The team met senior government officials at the state secretariat today and discussed the issue. They are meeting various stakeholders to discuss the future transport system to be introduced in Bhubaneswar.”

For BRTS, the government plans to spend nearly Rs 900 crore. “If the French agency releases Rs 600 crore, rest of the money will be raised by the various government agencies or from the market.”

Rath said metro-rail or mono-rail project will not be suitable for the state because of the huge capital involved.

“BRTS is the only option that we have. While Rs 300 crore is required for constructing one km of metro railway, nearly Rs 150 crore is required to build one kilometre of monorail tracks.”