PMG satisfied with implementation of projects in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Project Monitoring Group (PMG) of the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) today expressed its satisfaction over implementation of at least 32 projects across sectors like steel, power, coal mining and railways.

"There has been substantial progress in implementation of projects. State machinery has acted very proactively and resolved issues raised by the project implementing agencies.

We are quite satisfied with the progress made in Odisha," said Arun Goel, Additional Secretary, PMG at the Prime Minister's Office.

Goel said this after taking stock of different projects at a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Odisha Chief Secretary A P Padhi.

"We have mainly reviewed infrastructure based investment projects. Around 32 projects in railway, national highway, water pipeline, coal block development, coal transportation corridor and power sectors were discussed and resolved. This joint exercise has been helpful for expediting the projects," Padhi said.

The major projects reviewed included Khurdha-Bolangir new broad gauge railway link being implemented at a cost of Rs 3,550 crore, doubling of Sambalpur-Bamur railway line with project cost of Rs 1,111 crore, doubling of Sambalpur-Titilagarh railway link at a cost of Rs 1,078 crore, Hardaspur-Paradeep rail link project, Talcher-Bimilagarh new rail line project with an estimated cost of Rs 810 crore and Angul-Sukinda new rail line project with an estimated cost of Rs 638.5 crore.

Among the NH projects reviewed were Tileibani-Sambalpur section of NH-6 at an estimated cost of Rs 752 crore, Binhjabahal-Teleibani section of NH-6 at estimated cost of Rs 1,057 crore, Baharagora-Singara section of NH-6 at an estimated cost of Rs 734 crore, 6-laning of Bhubnaneswar-Chandikhol section of NH-5 at an estimated cost of Rs 1047 crore and others.

The meeting also reviewed progress of coal and power projects like the SMC power generation project, Telengiri Irrigation project, Coal mine projects of MCL, Jharsuguda-Barpali coal transportation railway line and others.

Issues relating to rehabilitation, award of compensation, forest clearance, evacuation of encroachment from acquired land, forest clearance, environmental clearances, tree cutting permission, DGPS survey, compensatory afforestation were discussed and resolved, Padhi said.

Padhi also set timelines for various phases of each project and directed the NH officials and engineers to keep all roads in motorable conditions before the Monsoons.