Bhubaneswar, May 1: Political and administrative activity surrounding the metro project in Odisha has intensified once again. Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi has given positive signals regarding the Odisha Metro proposal raised by BJD Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra. A letter from the Chief Minister’s office has indicated that the proposal is under review and scrutiny.
Dr. Patra had written to Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on April 6, urging the advancement of the Odisha Metro project. Following this, the proposal was forwarded to the state government, where the Housing and Urban Development Department has sent it to BMRC for “information and necessary action.”
Previously, Dr. Patra had appealed to Chief Minister Majhi to revive the Bhubaneswar Metro project under a central-state partnership model. He noted that the Rajasthan government received approval for the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project under a 50:50 Central-State Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model, which could serve as an ideal model for Odisha as well.
In his letter, Dr. Patra mentioned that the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project spans 41 kilometers and costs over ₹13,000 crore, while the approved cost for the Odisha Metro (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda-Puri) is set at ₹6,255 crore in 2024, significantly less than the Jaipur project.
He suggested that if the Odisha Metro were implemented based on the Jaipur model, both the central and state governments could contribute approximately ₹3,100 crore each, while the remaining amount could be raised through viability gap funding (VGF) or other financial means.
Dr. Patra emphasized that the implementation of the metro project on the Puri-Khurda-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack corridor would provide people with fast, safe, and comfortable travel options. It would enhance access to education and employment for students and youth, provide convenience for senior citizens, boost tourism, and strengthen the state’s economy alongside small businesses.
He urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision to terminate the metro project and to discuss adopting the Jaipur model with the central government.
It is noteworthy that recently, under Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi’s leadership, the state cabinet decided to terminate the agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), formally canceling the Bhubaneswar Metro project. Additionally, a decision was made to transform the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited into the nodal agency for urban transport plans.
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