Odisha Govt to draft master plan for landslide prevention

The Odisha government will prepare a comprehensive master plan to tackle landslides in the state, following the recent incident in Gajapati district. 

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced about the development on Saturday. The Minister stated that landslides have emerged as a new challenge in the state, particularly in hilly and mountainous regions like Gajapati.

According to the Minister, the government will identify landslide-prone zones and implement preventive measures to ensure that falling rocks do not cause loss of life. Alongside this, special attention will be given to low-lying roads that often get submerged during heavy rains, disrupting connectivity. Instructions have been issued to elevate such roads, with Malkangiri district identified as a key focus area due to its large number of vulnerable routes.

District Collectors have been directed to assess damages immediately and submit reports so that compensation can be disbursed without delay. Minister Pujari assured that relief will begin reaching the affected people by tomorrow.

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"I have directed the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of South Zone to be stationed in Gajapati district. We have also reviewed the situation with the Chief Minister twice or thrice. Mines and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena stayed there for a couple of days and worked day and night. Things are in control now. There has not been much rain for the last 24 hours, and today. The Chief Minister has already announced compensation for the deceased. We have directed the Collectors of Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, and less affected regions like Ganjam and some other districts to assess the damages immediately and submit the reports to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department soon," said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.