Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Metro, once touted as a solution to the region’s traffic woes, is now mired in delays. Promised by the BJD government ahead of the 2024 elections, the ambitious project appears to have hit a standstill, thanks to recurring VVIP visits and administrative red tape.
VVIPs Derail Progress
From Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to the Odisha Summit, frequent high-profile events at Janata Maidan have turned into roadblocks for the metro project. Roads once cleared for construction are now being repaired and barricaded to accommodate VIP convoys.
Impact on Infrastructure Work:
Footpaths Rebuilt: Footpaths demolished for metro work were rebuilt to ensure smooth VVIP travel.
Water Pipe Laying Halted: Watco’s project to provide 24-hour water supply has also been paused.
Road Widening Stalled: Work from Barang to Trishuliya and Shishu Bhawan Chowk to Banibihar Chowk is at a standstill.
Environmental and Economic Concerns
The project requires cutting approximately 3,200 trees, but the forest department has only approved 1,400 in the first phase. Additional permissions are pending, further delaying progress. Retired administrator Pramod Patnaik questions the feasibility of a metro system in a city with just a 50-km radius.
Key Points Raised:
- Will the metro ease traffic congestion or shift the burden to smaller streets?
- Developed cities prioritize designated business zones to manage traffic, which Bhubaneswar lacks.
- The comparison with Chandigarh, a city managing traffic without a metro, suggests alternative solutions.
Public Frustration and Official Responses
Residents have expressed mixed feelings, with some relieved by the temporary halt in disruptive construction activities. However, concerns loom about the long-term delays and their implications for urban development. An official from the Public Works Department admitted that VVIP visits have caused significant disruptions, but assured that work would resume once the high-profile events subside.
Final Thoughts:
While Bhubaneswar’s metro project promised to be a game-changer, its execution reflects a lack of coordination and foresight. Until administrative and logistical hurdles are addressed, the city’s dream of a seamless metro system remains distant.