A metro system is not just a lifeline; it becomes a defining identity of a growing city. It strengthens connectivity and prepares urban areas for future economic corridors. In Odisha, developing a metro network connecting Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri could help create a strong business hub while preserving their heritage value. I believe a lack of awareness and long-term vision often leads to such projects being rejected.
According to a report by the Odisha government headed by the BJP, the Bhubaneswar Metro project that was initiated by the BJD government in 2024 has been scrapped due to financial considerations. The planned 26-kilometer-long elevated corridor that would run from the airport to Cuttack, with an approximate cost of â‚ą6,300 crore, faced difficulties in terms of lower-than-expected passenger flow and also non-conformity with the National Metro Rail Policy of 2017. In the inter-ministerial assessment, there was a high probability of incurring recurring losses on this project; hence, it was decided to scrap the tender as well as the association with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
If we look at Delhi NCR, development begin even before large populations settled there, with a focus on basic infrastructure like electricity, roads, drainage and metro. That forward-thinking approach enabled rapid growth later. Instead of focusing only on present costs or usage, planning should consider future benefits, economic expansion, and the long-term needs of the region.
But after some days, following criticism, the government clarified that the Odisha Metro project has not been cancelled but only put on hold. Officials said the decision is temporary, and the project may restart after further review, planning adjustments, and financial considerations to ensure its long-term feasibility and benefits.
