Bhubaneswar, April 6 (NationPress) In a significant move, Senior Sasmit Patra, a prominent member of the Biju Janata Dal and Rajya Sabha MP, has reached out to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal. He is urging for immediate action to prevent the cancellation of the proposed Metro Rail project, which was set in motion by the previous administration.

In his correspondence, Patra emphasized that the project, which was conceived during the earlier Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, serves as a crucial mass-transit backbone for the Bhubaneswar—Cuttack—Khurda—Puri corridor.

“I am writing to urgently request your intervention to ensure that the proposed Metro Rail Project in Odisha is not scrapped by the Odisha Government. This project, envisioned by Hon'ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ji, is essential for mass transit within the Bhubaneswar—Cuttack—Khurda—Puri corridor,” noted the BJD MP.

He further expressed that abandoning the Metro Rail project would jeopardize a well-planned infrastructure initiative and deprive the people of Odisha of a vital mobility and economic resource.

Patra pointed out that governance should be continuous, and such projects must be preserved in the public interest.

He highlighted that the Metro project, as envisioned by the prior BJD government, was fully funded by the State.

“As the Odisha Government moves to scrap the project, your Ministry has the capacity to ensure its revival. The development of the Metro Project aligns with the National Urban Transport Policy and the Metro Rail Policy 2017,” stated Patra.

He indicated that these policies provide for a 50:50 Centre–State equity participation model through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), as well as central assistance including Viability Gap Funding (VGF), ensuring that states are not obligated to abandon metro projects due to financial limitations.

“In accordance with these frameworks, I urge your Ministry to advocate for the Odisha Government to retain the project; and facilitate its execution through a 50:50 cost-sharing model or equivalent support. This is crucial to uphold national policy, maintain infrastructure development continuity, and safeguard the long-term interests of the people of Odisha. I request immediate and appropriate action,” urged the senior BJD leader.

It is important to note that the state cabinet, led by Mohan Charan Majhi, recently decided to terminate its agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, effectively scrapping the Bhubaneswar metro rail project.

Additionally, the cabinet resolved to convert Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited into a nodal agency for planning and executing sustainable urban mobility projects in the state.