No talks yet with Odisha govt on Metro project: Pradhan.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently criticized the state government regarding the proposed Metro rail project in the city, saying that its successful implementation requires active discussions between the state and Centre and the Odisha government is yet to engage in any such dialogue.
Speaking during the flagging off of the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express with modern Tejas coaches, along with railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Pradhan said, “Big promises were made by powerful babus (bureaucrats) on starting Metro trains in Bhubaneswar. We need to understand what a Metro project is and who will execute it. A thought came to someone’s mind and a few bureaucrats then took a tour and declared there will be a Metro project. Such projects are not commissioned like this. One should have clarity on the amount of money spent on such a project. Bhubaneswar belongs to everybody and thus, there is a need to work together.”
BJD MLA Anant Narayan Jena, who attended the event, said work for the Metro project has already started and it is on track. “People will avail the service soon,” he added.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on April 1 had announced to start a state-funded Metro train service connecting Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khurda. The first phase of the route is proposed to run from Trisulia Square near Cuttack to Bhubaneswar airport, around 30km away.
ET