Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated and laid the foundation for various development projects worth Rs. 890 crore in Belapada and Patnagarh on his two-day visit to Balangir district.
A total of 83 projects, including irrigation, health infrastructure, piped water supply, bridge construction, and road construction, were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid. Majhi addressed two public meetings in Belapada and Patanagarh.
The Chief Minister first laid the foundation stone for upgrading the 1,330-meter Tusura Airstrip runway at a cost of Rs 65 crore. After upgrading, the airstrip will be categorized as 2-B, enabling direct flights between Balangir and Bhubaneswar, and accelerating development in the district.
Later, Majhi laid the foundation stone for improving the Upper Lantha Irrigation Project in Belpada Block, costing over Rs 300 crore. The Chief Minister stated that the government aims to create more irrigation facilities in low-irrigation areas. The Upper Lanth project is said to be a special initiative.
Upon completion, over 15,000 acres of land will be irrigated in Kharif and Rabi seasons, benefiting 38,000 farmers from 25 villages in Belpada block. The project will solve water problems in Belpada, the CM said.
The Upper Lanth Irrigation Project will revolutionize irrigation, featuring a 2,495-meter-long dam on Lanth River, generating 210 kilowatts of electricity through hydropower units.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi emphasized Balangir district’s significance in Western Odisha, pledging to eradicate 75 years of injustice and development inequality.
The CM inaugurated Patnagarh Sub-divisional hospital and Dialysis Center, Titlagarh Dialysis Center, and laid the foundation for Patnagarh’s bypass road, costing Rs. 118 crore.
Highlighting the Khurda-Balangir railway project, Majhi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for its rapid progress.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo assured the timely completion of the Upper Lanth project.
Notable attendees included Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Lok Sabha MP Sangita Singh Deo, Rajya Sabha MP Niranjan Bishi, Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bagh, and Balangir Collector Gaurav Shivaji Isalwar
