Odisha Govt To Redesign Bhubaneswar Metro Blueprint From Scratch, Know More
The Odisha government has decided to set up a technical committee comprising senior officers and experts to draft a fresh and comprehensive plan for the proposed Bhubaneswar Metro rail project, a minister said on Thursday.
The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo.
The earlier project plan prepared by the previous BJD government has been scrapped and a fresh one will be designed and executed with support from the Centre, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said.
'We will form a technical committee including department secretaries, officers, and experts. They will visit other metro-operating cities to study best practices and prepare a new route plan, identify parking spaces, and finalise other infrastructure needs," Mahapatra told reporters.
A fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared based on the committee's findings, and the Centre's support will be sought for the project's execution, he added.
Singh Deo emphasised the importance of studying Metro systems in other cities, pointing out that many projects are running at a loss, with the burden falling on state governments.
The previous BJD government had proposed to take up the first phase of the Metro project on a 26-km-long stretch between Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Trisulia in Cuttack at an investment of Rs 6,225 crore. Soil testing and other ground work were also initiated by the then government.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJD has criticised the BJP government for allegedly pushing the Metro rail project into uncertainty.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty accused the government of misleading people.
'The Hyderabad and Bengaluru Metro projects are profitable. The previous Naveen Patnaik government had taken concrete steps to implement the Metro rail in Odisha. The BJP government lacks sincerity and is only confusing the public with contradictory statements," Mohanty said.
Mohanty said the Naveen Patnaik-led government took necessary steps to start the Metro project in a developing state like Odisha.
He pointed out that ministers have made conflicting remarks—one suggesting the metro will be elevated, another suggesting it will go underground—adding to the confusion.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Zelenskyy Urges India's Help To End Russia-Ukraine War As Trump Meets Putin At Alaska
Last Updated: Zelenskyy extended wishes to Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day and referenced their recent phone call earlier this week. As US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Anchorage, Alaska, for talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced strong concerns about being left out of the negotiations. Zelenskyy insists that no final deal should be reached without Ukraine's direct involvement. Amid mounting anxiety over the summit, Zelenskyy has turned to India, reaching out with a symbolic and timely message for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just hours before the Trump-Putin meeting began, Zelenskyy extended wishes to Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day and referenced their recent phone call earlier this week. 'Our nations share the experience of standing up for freedom and dignity, as well as the pursuit of peace and development," Zelenskyy wrote. In the same message, the Ukrainian President expressed hope that India would step forward to play a role in ending the ongoing war. 'We hope that India will contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war, so that our freedom and sovereignty are truly secure," he added. Congratulations to the people of India, President @rashtrapatibhvn, and Prime Minister @narendramodi on the Independence Day!This week we had a good, candid conversation with Prime Minister @narendramodi when I had an opportunity to personally convey my best wishes on this… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 The message to India comes at a critical juncture, as President Putin sits down with Trump to explore possible solutions to the nearly four-year-long conflict. European leaders, along with Zelenskyy, remain wary of what concessions Trump might be willing to entertain. Earlier this week, Trump held a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and several European heads of state, where he reiterated his support for Ukraine. According to two European diplomats who spoke to CNN, Trump told participants that he would advocate for an unconditional ceasefire during his discussions with Putin. The sources also noted that Trump stated the issue of Ukrainian territory was 'not for him to negotiate." Zelenskyy also held a separate call with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the summit. While he sees the Trump-Putin meeting as a symbolic win for Putin, Zelenskyy remains cautiously hopeful. Trump has hinted that if today's talks in Alaska go well, a trilateral summit involving Ukraine could follow. view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 02:25 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
BJP wraps Dharmasthala case in faith narrative, Congress battles perception war
Bengaluru: What began as an investigation into allegations of mass burials at Dharmasthala — one of the country's most prominent Hindu pilgrimage centres — has evolved into a politically charged contest over faith, identity, and control of the narrative. The special investigation team (SIT), tasked with examining claims that hundreds of bodies were secretly buried, has so far produced limited physical evidence. Yet in the political arena, the case is being reframed as an attack on Hinduism, with BJP signalling it could be a major campaign plank in the run-up to the 2028 assembly polls — a prospect which troubles governing Congress. The investigation was launched in July after a whistleblower — a former sanitation worker employed at the temple from 1995 to 2014 — alleged he had buried hundreds of bodies, including women allegedly .raped before being killed. He also claimed he faced threats to his life and family if he spoke out. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Opposition BJP and affiliated Hindutva organisations have cast the investigation as a conspiracy to malign Hindu temples. Opposition leader in the assembly R Ashoka called it an anti-Hindu conspiracy to defame the temple by both "urban naxals and international hands", while incorrectly claiming the whistleblower is a Muslim. He is a Dalit. BJP also views the matter as a potential rallying issue, with Vishwa Hindu Parishad hinting at a statewide campaign, describing the investigation as part of a drive by "divisive forces". On Sunday, a team of BJP functionaries is expected to visit Dharmasthala as devotees in a show of support. Congress, wary of being labelled anti-Hindu, has reined in its criticism and has been insisting that they ordered the probe with good intentions and not to defame the temple. "Should such claims be allowed to linger?" home minister G Parameshwara asked. "Shouldn't the truth behind these allegations emerge? We formed the SIT to find the truth, so that those facing allegations are treated fairly." He also said the govt is contemplating action against those who carried out a misinformation campaign – including the sanitation worker – against the pilgrim town and its authorities, if investigation fails to substantiate the allegations. But deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar struck a different note, echoing BJP's position: "It is a big conspiracy to tarnish the pilgrim town." Analysts say this divergence underscores Congress's concern over the BJP's Hindutva framing. Political analyst MN Patil said: "Instead of debating whether crimes took place, the conversation has veered toward whether Hindu temples are being unfairly targeted. This narrative mobilises BJP's core vote-bank." Dharmasthala's hereditary head, Veerendra Heggade, has been Dharmadhikari since 1968 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by BJP in 2022 — a fact seen as adding a political layer to the controversy. Legal expert N Venkatesh warned: "When you cast a criminal allegation as an attack on religion, the legal process becomes subordinate to political mobilisation." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ahead of Bihar polls, BJP puts 'backwards' on its priority list
PM Narendra Modi NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Friday announced plans for a grand celebration of the second birth centenary of renowned 19th century social reformer Jyotiba Phule, in what can be seen as an important gesture to OBCs who revere the anti-caste activist, who also championed women's education. "In the near future, we will be marking the 200th birth anniversary of the great social reformer Jyotiba Phule. We are going to begin the celebrations for this anniversary. Phule's principles and the mantra "priority to the backward" are an inspiration for us," said Modi. The proposed celebrations mark the elevation of Phule, who was born into Mali caste, to the national pantheon. BJP included Phule and his wife Savitribai, known for her 'passionate and tireless' advocacy for women's education, among its gallery of icons long ago. But Modi's plans for his bicentenary turn the embrace into a warm hug. Modi said his govt is working to implement Phule's mantra. "By giving priority to the backward, we want to reach the heights of transformation. We want to put in our utmost effort for this. Through transparent policies, we wish to make "priority to backward" a reality on the ground, bringing it into the lives of every backward person". The remarks were seen from multiple prisms, including the impending decision on vice president, choice of the new BJP chief, and Bihar polls where OBCs will play the decisive role. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Phule, for long, has been a major influence on the OBCs in Bihar, with many among the intermediate castes of Kushwahas and Koeris, who, like Malis, are engaged in horticulture, regarding him as one of their own. The PM also spoke about Dalits and other deprived sections while stressing the need for govt to be proactive about improving lives. "Whether they are Dalits, the oppressed, the exploited, or the deprived, govt should be proactively positive for them, govt should be pro-people," he said. Modi said some people suffer from the misperception that his govt was implementing schemes for welfare of the deprived sections the same way as its predecessors. "We are implementing schemes on the ground. We emphasise saturation because if there is any true execution of social justice, it is in saturation where no eligible person is left out." Phule's bicentenary celebrations would mark the co-option by BJP of a second legendary social reformer from Maharashtra, after B R Ambedkar was formally inducted into its 'Hall of Inspirations'. The practice of adopting even those who had once seemed incompatible with the party's original ethos has gone hand-in-hand with the expansion of its base beyond the core. It gathered momentum under Modi who, as PM, moved vigorously to identify the party with Ambedkar's legacy.
