Highlights
- Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi wrote a letter to the CM of Odisha
- Appealed to start metro service in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
- The total population of both the cities is above 20 lakhs.
Odisha News: BJP’s national spokesperson and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi has written to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asking the Center to submit a proposal to start metro rail service in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. In his letter, Sarangi said that the capital city of Bhubaneswar has an estimated population of over 12 lakh, while Cuttack has a total population of around 10 lakh. Thus the combined population of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack would be around 22 lakhs.
Metro rail project should be done in cities with more than 20 lakh population
MP Aparajita Sarangi said, “There has been a rapid expansion of settlements and commercial complexes in both the twin cities. Therefore, if the areas not falling within the municipal corporations of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are taken, the estimated population would be close to 30 lakhs. ” According to the Metro Rail Policy 2017, cities with a population of more than 20 lakh should plan for a metro rail system. The population of Bhubaneswar is likely to exceed 20 lakhs within 4 to 5 years. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the current combined population of the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack is already over 20 lakhs. He said, “In the fitness of things, an integrated metro rail system should be planned for both the cities by the state government. The project may be implemented in a phased manner, first starting from Bhubaneswar city, then to Cuttack city. can be expanded.”
Plan to be made under 50-50 equity share
The BJP leader further suggested that the Metro system may be planned under 50:50 equity sharing of the Central and State Governments as per the Metro Policy 2017. He said that the development of the metro system will not only improve mobility, but it will also increase commercial activities in both the twin cities. To go ahead with the metro rail system, he requested the CM to ask his officials to prepare a project report (DPR). He urged the Chief Minister to look into the matter and direct the concerned officers to send a proposal to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for feasibility study and sanction of central financial assistance for DPR.