Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today dedicated to the people 100 new bridges (Biju Setu) and 75 rural pipelines across the State at a function at the Secretariat.
The two projects have been launched with the aim to improve connectivity to far flung areas and provide safe drinking water in rural areas, informed sources.
“I am happy to dedicate 100 Biju Setus and 75 pipelines for the service of people. The Biju Setu Yojana was launched to provide connectivity to villages across the State. Under this project, 481 bridges have already been completed while work on 382 bridges is in progress. Moreover, decision has been taken to construct another 153. The inauguration of the 100 Biju Setus today will benefit 16 lakh people covering 345 panchayats. Similarly, the unveiling of 75 new pipelines will provide drinking water to 1.15 lakh people,” said Naveen Patnaik on the occasion.
Rural Development Minister Badrinarayan Patra said 10,418 drinking water projects have been made functional so far in Odisha.
A total of 863 bridges will be constructed to improve connectivity in rural areas and Rs.780 crore already spent in this regard by the end of the last financial year.
The minister said Rs.400 crore had been earmarked for the construction of 153 bridges this year.
Patra said the Chief Minister has ordered spending of 30 percent of the funds allocated by the Finance Commission for drinking water projects in the state.