Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar’s metro project, envisioned as a solution to the city’s growing traffic issues, has hit yet another pause button. Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra announced that the metro work will begin only after the much-anticipated ‘Excellence in Odisha’ program. This delay supposedly promises of a futuristic Odisha in line with the Developed Odisha-2036 vision that is being initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Frequent Visits of PM Modi to Odisha: A step in Progress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Odisha will be the fifth visit. There is a plan to expedite developmental projects in the state. The vision for Odisha-2036 aims at transforming the state into a hub for investments, urban development, and global tourism.
- Increased Investment: The state government is actively pursuing opportunities to attract global investors.
- Bhubaneswar Expansion: An MoU signed during the Singapore President’s visit includes plans for a new model city in Bhubaneswar, focusing on resolving traffic issues and affordable housing.
- International Puri: With efforts to widen ring roads and develop new infrastructure, Puri is set to become an international city.
Metro Project: Delayed but Not Denied
While the metro project remains delayed, the minister assured that it is a top priority. It will be reviewed post-program excellence in Odisha.
- Problems of Traffic: The opening of the metro is forecast to solve the problem of the heavy traffic that has persisted in Bhubaneswar.
- Whether metro will be great for ease in congestion, plan: The expansion plans moving through the TP scheme aren’t only about the traffic and size of affordable housing.
- Future Vision: Bhubaneswar and other major cities like Puri are poised for urban transformation.
Bhubaneswar: A Model City in the Making
The state government has charted out a roadmap to turn Bhubaneswar into a model city:
- New Model City: Inspired by the Singaporean urban model, Bhubaneswar is set to witness world-class infrastructure.
- TP Scheme Expansion: More cities will be included in the Town Planning (TP) scheme to ensure equitable development.
The ring road expansion and other key infrastructure projects are designed to position Bhubaneswar as a global city.
‘Excellence in Odisha’ Program: The Catalyst
The ‘Excellence in Odisha’ event is a high-profile initiative aimed at showcasing Odisha’s developmental strides to investors and global leaders. The metro project’s review has been tied to this event, motioning the government’s strategic focus on prioritizing urban development post-event.
Challenges and Public Point of view
Despite grand plans, delays in the metro project have left residents in doubtful situation.
- Week without metro: Regular commuters to carry a hell of a lot of time trying to reach the destination each day.
- Political Overtones: Critics have contended that the metro project and the urban expansion plan are more mirage than reality.
Conclusion
While it has the promise of a Developed Odisha-2036 vision, delay in major projects like metro raises some questions on timely completion Overshadowed by the development race buzzy Bhubaneswar, which encompasses them all with ambitious plans for Puri, it’s evident the government will go ahead with the development commitments. Yet, the residents are hoping for a possible reality of the plans soon enough.
