Cuttack: BJD members on Wednesday demonstrated at Buxi Bazar in Cuttack against the state govt’s decision to scrap the Metro rail project connecting Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.Hundreds of party workers assembled at the busy marketplace, raising slogans and accusing the govt of stalling a key infrastructure initiative that, they claimed, would have transformed urban mobility in the twin cities.Cuttack mayor Subhash Singh said, “The metro project was initiated under the leadership of former chief minister (and BJD president) Naveen Patnaik in 2023, with an initial allocation of Rs 400 crore and preliminary work was already underway. The project was not just a proposal but a vision for the future and stopping it midway is a humiliation for the people of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.”Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, “The govt is reviewing the feasibility and financial viability of the project. It’s a loss project for now. The previous BJD govt had not consulted the central govt. The proposal lacked clarity on execution and long-term funding. We are exploring better and more feasible urban transportation solutions for the region.”Subhash added, “Metro rail systems are operational in over 25 states across India. Why is it not operational in Odisha? The BJP govt must restore its work and complete it on time.”“Metro connectivity accelerates economic growth, improves mobility and reduces congestion. The govt must reconsider and restart the project immediately,” he said.BJD Cuttack district president Prafulla Singh echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the broader economic impact of the project. “Metro is a symbol of development. It would strengthen communication, attract industries and generate employment opportunities. Halting such a project is a setback for Odisha’s growth,” Singh said.“It’s a setback for twin cities and crores of commuters across the state. The project would have solved the traffic snarls in twin cities,” Prafulla added.
