Odisha’s Metro Dream Takes a Detour, not a Dead End
Bhubaneswar’s much-awaited metro rail project, envisioned to revolutionize urban mobility in Odisha, has hit a temporary pause — but not a full stop. On July 25, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) terminated contracts with two private construction firms due to prolonged execution delays. While this sparked concern and political uproar, the Odisha government has clarified: the project is very much alive — just undergoing a critical course correction.
With a revised blueprint in the works, the metro initiative is being restructured to ensure efficiency, better design, and greater public utility. Though tenders have been cancelled, the long-term vision remains firmly on track.
What Happened: Tenders Terminated After Delays
The DMRC cancelled its contracts with Ceigall India Limited and Ranjit Buildcon, the firms assigned to construct elevated viaducts and six metro stations between Nandan Vihar and Trisulia Square under Phase I of the project. This segment is part of a broader 26-kilometer stretch extending from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar to Trisulia in Cuttack, with an estimated investment of ₹6,225 crore.
According to DMRC officials, the decision was made to avoid further delay and prevent the wastage of resources and manpower. While construction had largely remained stalled, the state government and DMRC maintain that the metro project itself has not been shelved, only restructured.
The State’s Stand: Not Cancellation, But Correction
Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra clarified that the government remains committed to the metro project. The existing plan, he said, required a comprehensive overhaul.
“The project was facing significant delays, and the way it was being implemented earlier would not have succeeded,” said Mohapatra. “We are revising the Detailed Project Report (DPR), restructuring the blueprint, and making the plan more people-centric. The project will proceed — just not with the earlier model.”
An inter-ministerial committee has been formed to study successful metro models in other cities. Based on its findings, a new DPR will be prepared, followed by fresh tenders and accelerated execution. The minister also said that the revised version would benefit from central government support and modern technology integration.
Political Reactions: Accusations and Assurances
The scrapping of the tenders has not gone unnoticed in Odisha’s political circles. BJD leader Pratap Deb accused the BJP-led state government of sabotaging a dream project launched by the previous Naveen Patnaik administration for political reasons.
Former CM Naveen Patnaik echoed the sentiment on social media, saying, “The decision to cancel the contracts will push Bhubaneswar back by a decade in urban development.”
However, Minister Mohapatra countered the allegations, stating that opposition criticism is based on misinformation. “The metro has not been cancelled. We are reviewing and improving it. The people of Odisha deserve a well-executed project, not rushed construction riddled with problems,” he added.
The Ground Reality: A Pause for Progress
According to a senior Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) official, while construction has paused, the partnership with DMRC remains intact. The tenders were only suspended to avoid idle costs while the revised DPR is finalized. In the interim, infrastructure improvements — like a proposed overbridge from Kalpana to Nandankanan — are being planned to support future metro connectivity.
A Delay, not a Derailment
Despite cancelled tenders and political finger-pointing, Bhubaneswar’s metro project is still on track, albeit through a revised route. The government insists it is committed to delivering a modern, efficient metro system that serves the needs of a growing urban population.
While the delay has stirred controversy and speculation, the truth lies in the middle: this is not a cancellation, but a recalibration. As long as facts prevail over political noise, Bhubaneswar’s metro dream still holds strong promise.
(With agency inputs)
