Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday visited Bargarh and inaugurated 62 different development projects worth Rs 2149 crore in the district. Along with this, he laid the foundation stone for 21 different development projects for Rs 263,33,18,000.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Gangadhar Meher Irrigation Project constructed for Rs 1677.42 crore, a five-storied 100-bedded cancer treatment center built for Rs 106.6 crore, and conversion of the Narasinghath Peeth for Rs 22 crore for the convenience of devotees, pilgrims and tourists.
Work on the Sohela-Nuapada Biju Expressway and 37 high school conversions have also been completed. Along with this, 56 colleges have been converted into modern education systems, five healthcare institutions have been converted into ‘Ama Hospitals’, ‘Ama Bank’ facilities have been provided in 185 un-banked gram panchayats, 262 bus stops constructed under the Lakshmi Bus Yojana, 431 Kalyan Mandaps, community centers, and religious places have been transformed under the Chief Minister’s special assistance programme. A total of 3,355 projects are currently being implemented in Bargarh district.
Inaugurating the irrigation project, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the poet Gangadhar Meher and the great freedom fighter Maa Parvatigiri. He said that Bargarh is the land of art and culture and the weavers of this region have illuminated Odisha’s identity across the world. He also spoke about an increase in the pension of weavers and artists.
The Chief Minister said that currently a transformation Mahotsav is underway across the state and the Parikrama project of Srimandir in Puri and Maa Samlei project have delighted the devotees. The conversion of the famous Narasinghath Peeth, which was inaugurated today, will also enhance the glory of Odisha, the Chief Minister said.
Highlighting the ongoing transformation work under the 5T initiative of the state government, the Chief Minister said, “We have achieved success in the transformation of high schools under this programme. The Biju Health Welfare Yojana is a blessing for 4 crore people of Odisha. The Lakshmi Bus Yojana has made life easier for the people in the villages. Major irrigation projects are being completed on time,” he said, adding, “Today, Odisha is supplying food to the entire country through the public distribution system.” Patnaik said that the farmers of Bargarh district have contributed a lot to the prosperity of the state.
Odisha’s reputation is growing in the field of sports too. He said that badminton star Pramod Bhagat too has made a special contribution to that.
The Chief Minister said, “I had promised a cancer hospital in Bargarh. Today I have fulfilled that. It will provide better services to the patients in west Odisha.” The Chief Minister added that 11 cancer hospitals are being built across the state under the 5T initiative. More than Rs 1000 crore will be spent on this.
Today, the supply of water to the farmers’ fields in the district has started through the Gangadhar Meher irrigation project. More than 60,000 acres of land in the district will get water through this project. He said that the project will especially benefit the farmers of Sohela, Bijepur, Barpali, and Dunguripali blocks of the district.
The Chief Minister further said, “Interest-free loans are being given to the farmers, Mission Shakti members, and the youths. Nua-O scholarships have spread hope among college students. He said that with the cooperation of all, there has been a change in Odisha today, and this trend will continue further. We will build a new Odisha together.”
Participating in the programme, 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian said that when the Chief Minister announced the Gangadhar Meher Project, many people raised doubts about it. Bijepur is located at a height of 35 meters from Hirakud Dam. But removing all doubts, the Chief Minister has made it successful by applying modern technology with strong willpower. Today, thousands of acres of land have been piped from the river.
Recently, the state government has increased the allowances of beneficiaries in various welfare schemes. Interacting with the audience, Pandian informed them about the new enhanced support for all, such as Mamata, Madhubabu Yojana, weavers, artists, kendusalay toli, etc.
Minister of Water Resources Tukuni Sahu, Minister of Handicrafts, Textiles and Handicrafts Rita Sahu, and MLA Debash Acharya participated in the programme.
