Bhubaneswar, April 9 (NationPress) Senior BJD member and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra addressed a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, advocating for the resurgence of the Bhubaneswar Metro project through a well-structured partnership between the Union and state governments, similar to the approach taken with the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 in Rajasthan.

In this correspondence, Patra pointed out that the Union Cabinet approved the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project, which spans 41 km and is estimated to cost over ₹13,000 crore, under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017. This initiative is being realized through a 50:50 partnership model involving both the Center and the state, along with support from subordinate debt and external financing.

He emphasized that this approval establishes a vital precedent for implementing large-scale metro projects through a structured collaboration between the Center and the states.

Patra indicated that the Odisha Metro (covering the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda-Puri route), which has a sanctioned budget of ₹6,255 crore for 2024, represents less than 50% of the scale of the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project, which was initially intended to be funded entirely by the state.

He proposed that if the Odisha Metro project adopts the Jaipur funding model, both the central and state governments would be responsible for approximately ₹3,100 crore each, with the remaining expenses potentially covered through Viability Gap Funding or organized financing.

“If the Jaipur Metro Phase-2, costing over ₹13,000 crore and supported by the Union Government, is feasible, I have confidence that the Odisha Metro (Puri-Khurda-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack), with a budget less than half that of Jaipur Metro Phase-2, would also demonstrate viability and alignment with policy goals. As I previously communicated in my letter to the Hon'ble Union Minister (April 6, 2026), halting the project would jeopardize a crucial mobility and economic lifeline for the State,” Patra stated.

He highlighted that the Odisha Metro along the Puri–Khurda–Bhubaneswar–Cuttack corridor would enhance travel safety and speed for the residents of Odisha, improve access to education and employment for students and youth, and offer more comfortable transport options for senior citizens. Furthermore, it would bolster tourism by enhancing connectivity to significant sites, support small enterprises, and drive economic growth by alleviating congestion and creating new opportunities.

“I once again urge the Odisha Government, through you, to reconsider the decision to cancel the Odisha Metro project and advocate for the adoption of the Jaipur funding model in collaboration with the Government of India,” Patra implored.

Notably, the state cabinet under Mohan Charan Majhi recently decided to terminate the agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the Bhubaneswar Metro project. Additionally, it was resolved to repurpose the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited into a central body for planning and implementing sustainable urban mobility initiatives within the state.