Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra has clarified that the Bhubaneswar Metro project is temporarily suspended, not cancelled.
While office work at the Metro Corporation continues, the final roadmap awaits a decision from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The project has sparked intense political dialogue:
Government Stance: The Minister criticized the previous administration for announcing the project without a full assessment or Central support. An inter-ministerial committee is now reviewing "serious operational issues" to prevent future complications.
Opposition & Advocacy: MP Aparajita Sarangi and MP Sasmit Patra have urged the CM to reconsider, emphasizing that metro rail is a "public welfare" necessity driven by population growth, not just profit.
The government maintains that continuing in the original format could lead to long-term failures. Consequently, the project remains in a state of evaluation to ensure a more viable and strategically sound implementation.
This review marks a cautious shift in Odisha's urban transport strategy.