Bhubaneswar, July 26: Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has criticised the BJP-led Odisha government for scrapping the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project, calling the decision “shocking” and a major setback for the state’s capital.

Patnaik said that transforming Bhubaneswar into a world-class city has been a long-cherished vision of his party, and the Metro project was a crucial step toward achieving that goal. He stressed that the proposed metro line would have revolutionised the city’s transport infrastructure, helped ease traffic congestion, and accelerated urban development. Phase 1 of the project was scheduled for completion by 2027.

Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Patnaik slammed the ruling BJP’s "double-engine government," accusing it of betraying the aspirations of the people of Odisha. “The shocking decision by the double engine will push the city 10 years back,” he wrote, referring to the cancellation notice issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to its contractors.

Patnaik reaffirmed his party’s commitment to modernising Bhubaneswar through world-class sports infrastructure, global-scale event hosting, robust IT development, and efficient public transport. He warned that scrapping such a vital urban project could stall the city’s progress and affect its future growth trajectory.

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