Odisha CM lays foundation stones of several projects in capital city

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday laid the foundation stones of various projects and inaugurated a number of development projects in the Odisha capital.

The chief minister inaugurated a slew of development projects worth Rs 70.50 crore at various places under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and at some other places in the city outskirts.

Patnaik has laid foundation stones of the proposed modern non-veg market at Unit-IV and Ghatikia with expected investments worth Rs 2.11 crore and Rs 1.87 crore respectively.

These two markets will house around 18 and 21 meat making and selling units benefiting of at least 20,000 people daily.

Besides, the chief minister laid foundation stone of concrete road and a drain to be built in Gangotri area under Sisupalgarah panchayat with an investment of Rs 8.40 crore which will benefit around 30,000 people.

This apart, the chief minister laid foundation stone to revive around 14 ponds in Chintamaniswara temple area in Laxmisagar.

For this purpose, the state government would spend Rs 27.09 crore as about 15,000 people will be immensely benefited.

With an investment proposal worth Rs 16.06 crore, a foundation stone of the high-level bridge on Dhauli-Sundarapada road over Daya river was laid by the chief minister at Itipur village under Itipur panchayat.

The chief minister also inaugurated an urban ladies hostel ‘Akankshya’ at Pokhariput area which can accommodate around 500 girls who will purse higher education in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, Tribal Welfare minister Lal Bihari Himirika said, “This hostel can accommodate around 500 girls, including 80 percent of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and 20 percent Scheduled Castes (SCs).

The girl students, after passing High School Certificate (HSC), will stay in this hostel and continue their studies from Plus Two till their completion of their higher studies.”

The minister also informed that a same type of hostel for tribal boys would be inaugurated at Kalinga Vihar within two months.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, who was also present at the inauguration ceremony, informed that the government would set up two lake zones in the city with an investment of Rs 11 crore.

“Rs 6 crore would be spent to build a lake zone at Chintamaniswara and Rs 5 core has been earmarked another one near Kapileswara,” Jena informed.

The state government is also planning to revive the 12 ponds at Nayapalli, Jagamara, Patia, Pahala and Chakeisiani area for which Rs 24 crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose.