Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Friday appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to revisit the state Cabinet’s decision to shelve the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, emphasising its critical importance for the city’s future amid rapid urban growth.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aparajita shared her formal letter to the Chief Minister, stressing that certain infrastructure projects must be pursued for public benefit rather than immediate profit. She argued that Bhubaneswar is approaching a tipping point due to surging population, worsening traffic congestion, and strain on existing public transport systems. “The Metro is the most viable long-term solution which can transform public transport in the city and adjoining areas, including Cuttack, Jatni, and Khurda,” Sarangi wrote.
She highlighted that the system would offer improved mobility for senior citizens, women, children, students, working professionals, vendors, and persons with disabilities.
The MP referenced her previous advocacy for the project during the previous government’s tenure and noted her visit to the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Ltd office on November 30, 2024, where she reviewed progress and found the officials’ setup impressive.
Aparajita contended that the reasons given for the premature closure of the project do not appear grounded in a factual assessment of its necessity. She presented several key arguments in her letter:
Population and Urban Expansion: The projected growth and integration of Bhubaneswar with Cuttack and Khurda provide a strong justification for a high-capacity Metro system.
Economic and Tourism Boost: Establishing Bhubaneswar as an investor-friendly and tourist-centric city requires modern transport. The Metro would improve access to landmarks such as Lingaraj Temple, Khandagiri-Udayagiri, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Nandankanan Zoo, and ISKCON Temple, while catalysing economic activity, job creation, and quality of life in line with the vision for Viksit Odisha.
National Precedent: A capital city should lead by example. Metro systems are operational in 18 cities (including several Tier-2 cities), under construction in 16, and in planning in 12 others. Not all meet the typical 20-25 lakh population threshold, yet the combined population of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khurda is expected to exceed it.
Financial Implications: Approximately Rs 274 crore has already been spent from the state exchequer. Abandoning the project now would lead to additional costs, while delaying it by 10-15 years could escalate expenses by two to four times.
Public Interest Over Profit: Metro projects across India are subsidised by state governments and viewed as long-term public goods rather than profit-making ventures.
The Bhubaneswar MP also invoked President Droupadi Murmu’s recent Independence Day address, in which she praised the expansion of Metro networks as a solution to urbanisation challenges, questioning why Odisha should be left behind.
She described the Metro not merely as a transport solution but as a catalyst for job creation, economic growth, and sustainable urban development. “At a time when the world is focusing on sustainable urban living, withdrawing from a clean, electric metro system is counter-intuitive,” she noted.
The letter highlighted visible public support for the project in Bhubaneswar and warned that ignoring this demand could erode public trust.
Aparajita concluded by offering her full assistance as MP, including facilitating approvals and funding from the central government, and urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the April 4, 2026 Cabinet decision to ensure Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khurda become modern, smart, and future-ready cities.
