Congress alleges Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal inauguration in haste, conspiracy against Odia contractors

Ahead of the inauguration of Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammad Moquim on Saturday questioned the move of the Odisha government to dedicate the ‘incomplete project’ in a hurried manner.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to dedicate the Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal to the people of the state today. The project has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 90 crore.

“We are opposing the way the bus terminal is being inaugurated in a hurried manner. The dedicated route for bus movement has not been finalised and the state government has not given employment to the local youths,” said Moquim.

According to the Congress MLA, as an elected representative, it is his responsibility to cooperate in various development works, but it doesn’t mean that the Odisha government will come up with projects and do not provide employments to local youths. The Congress MLA also alleged conspiracy as several Odia contractors are not able to bag contracts due to certain criteria fixed by the state government.

“Be it the ongoing SCB construction, bus terminal, box drain or the Taladanda canal projects, contractors from outside are being engaged and local contractors are being kept away by coming up with several criteria. Some IAS officers with vested interests are resorting to such tactics. We have decided to stage protest as the people of Cuttack have been neglected on various occasions,” said Moquim.

MLA Moquim further said that as the bus terminal project has not been completed. It is being inaugurated in a hurried manner and the six-laning work, which is part of the project, is also pending, he said.

“Not only the Netaji Bus Terminal, several projects are being inaugurated in a hurried manner. I want to ask whether Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reviewed projects before inaugurating them. Whether the CM or the cabinet Minister has reviewed the projects; or whether the views of MLAs are being taken or not. MLAs and other elected representatives are being sidelined,” the Congress MLA alleged.

The Odisha government officials or the BJD leaders could not be contacted over the allegations made by the Congress MLA.