Cuttack: Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim will skip the inaugural function of the Rs 90-crore state-of-the-art Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT) at Khannagar on the banks of river Kathajodi, which will be unveiled by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to mediapersons, Moquim said that he has decided not to attend the programme since neither a single development project in Cuttack has been completed nor the victims rehabilitated. “Not a single local contractor was approached for the mega project, instead people from outside the state were hired for the construction work. Local vendors have also not been allotted space at the new bus terminal to run shops. The government is inaugurating the bus terminal by ignoring residents who have extended all cooperation for the project,” he alleged.
He further alleged that work on the bus terminal is incomplete. “The administration is planning to shift all the bus stands to the new terminal but there is no arrangement for entry and exit of buses. Work on the six-laning of the road, which is part of the project is yet to begin, and this will lead to waterlogging,” he said, questioning the urgency for the inauguration of the terminal.
Taladanda Canal development project and the second campus of Ravenshaw University, which are yet to be completed, are facing a similar fate, he said.
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The legislator also expressed shock over the arrangements for the CM’s visit. “We have never seen this kind of arrangement even for the President of India and Governor or for former CMs Janaki Ballabh Patnaik and Biju Patnaik. Security has been tightened in the city by erecting barricades. I suspect this is being done to keep the CM away from public,” he said.
Moquim added that had the CM reviewed the project himself, he would have not come for the inauguration.
