Bhubaneswar, April 6: In a recent letter, BJD MP Sasmit Patra has appealed to Monohar Lal Khattar, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, seeking his intervention to ensure that the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project in Odisha proceeds as per the National Urban Transport Policy and the Metro Rail Policy 2017.
Patra's plea comes in light of the Odisha government's decision to halt the project, which had been initiated under the leadership of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The MP emphasized that the Metro Rail project is a crucial element in the development of mass transit infrastructure, particularly for the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Khurda–Puri corridor.
He warned that the scrapping of the project would not only disrupt a well-planned and vital infrastructure initiative but also deprive the people of Odisha of an essential mobility and economic lifeline. Patra stressed that such projects, given their public importance, should be preserved to benefit the state's long-term growth.
Notably, the Metro Rail project was entirely state-funded, and Patra pointed out that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has the authority to revive it under the guidelines of the National Urban Transport Policy and Metro Rail Policy 2017, which allow for:
In his letter, Patra urged Khattar to intervene with the Odisha government and prevent the project from being scrapped. He called for the implementation of the project through a 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement or equivalent support, in line with national policy. He emphasized that this intervention is crucial to uphold the integrity of the national infrastructure framework and to safeguard the interests of the people of Odisha.
Patra concluded his appeal with a request for urgent action to ensure the continued development of the Metro Rail project, which he believes is essential for the state's future.
