Odisha 30 Years Behind? After Metro & Coastal Highway Setbacks, Sunil Jena Asks: Should Mohan Majhi Take VK Pandian’s Advice?

Editor-in-Chief, The Politics Odia
Political Analyst | Digital Commentator | Odisha Affairs

In just 13 months, the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government in Odisha is facing criticism for stalling the state’s development. The recent cancellation of two major projects — the Coastal Highway and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Twin City Metro — has sparked political outrage and deep public concern.

Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, now in opposition, expressed his disappointment on social media after the metro rail project tender was cancelled. His supporters and several citizens are now openly saying, “Odisha needs guidance from experienced administrators like VK Pandian to move forward.”

Delayed Vision, Lost Momentum?

According to Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief of The Politics Odia, these back-to-back project failures signal deeper governance issues. “Running a government isn’t just about winning power — it’s about having a skilled team and strong administrative vision,” he writes.

The lack of expert advice and weak coordination between ministers and bureaucracy has reportedly slowed Odisha’s development. The once-promising momentum built during the BJD regime seems to be reversing. Citizens now question whether the BJP government is pushing Odisha 30 years backwards instead of ahead.

Political Fallout

These setbacks are no longer just administrative — they’ve become political weapons. Opposition parties are asking:

Why is the BJP cancelling development projects?
Is the bureaucracy failing to deliver?
Why is there no visionary advisor guiding the CM?

As the noise grows louder, one question is echoing across Odisha:
“Should CM Mohan Majhi seek the advice of someone like VK Pandian before more damage is done?”

Author Profile

Sunil Jena: Sunil Jena is the Editor of The Politics Odia, an independent digital platform that delivers fearless political analysis, ground reports, and investigative stories from Odisha. Known for bold storytelling and grassroots connections, Sunil is shaping a new era of regional journalism.