Bhubaneswar: The sixth Task Force meeting on the implementation of major infrastructure development projects was held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg, with a comprehensive review of road, industrial and irrigation projects across the state.
At the outset, progress of key infrastructure projects flagged by the Prime Minister during the PRAGATI review meetings was assessed. Discussions covered national highway projects, industry-linked infrastructure, and major works under the Water Resources Department.
The Chief Secretary underscored that infrastructure development continues to receive priority allocation in the state budget each year, stressing its critical role in accelerating Odisha’s growth. She directed departments to identify and resolve bottlenecks—particularly land acquisition, forest clearance, and compensation-related issues—within defined timelines to ensure faster execution.
Senior officials including Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Industry Department Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Revenue Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arvind Kumar Padhi, Principal Secretaries of Works, Water Resources, and Commerce & Transport Departments, the Managing Director of IDCO, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and the Regional Officer of the National Highways Authority attended the meeting. District Collectors from project-affected districts joined virtually.
A detailed review of large industrial projects across districts was presented by the Industry Department. Progress, pending works and local issues were discussed with concerned collectors. Particular attention was given to land acquisition and execution status of railway connectivity projects such as the Jharsuguda and Barpali–Sardega Phase-II links.
The Water Resources Department presented updates on major irrigation projects. Work on the Kanupur project was reported to be progressing satisfactorily, with emphasis laid on expediting completion of the main and branch canals. The meeting also reviewed the Turi-Guntat Irrigation Weir Barrage Project in Nabarangpur, Upper Udanti Barrage Project in Nuapada, Govindpali Integrated River Bund Project in Malkangiri, and the Piplapanka Dam Project in Ganjam, among others. Necessary directions were issued to ensure adherence to timelines.
Road infrastructure projects under the Works Department also came up for extensive discussion. These included the Mohana–Rayagada to Tandikona stretch, Kuakhia–Mangalpur section in Jajpur, Baliguda–Mulakani road, Titlagarh city bypass, Kokasara–Nabarangpur road widening, Rairangpur city bypass, Dharmagarh bypass in Kalahandi, and widening and strengthening of the Daringbadi ghat road. Issues relating to land acquisition, compensatory afforestation and disbursement of compensation were reviewed to remove impediments and quicken progress.
Projects implemented by the National Highways Authority of India were also taken up. The Bamra–Pal Godibandh road (17 km), Cuttack–Kandarpur stretch, and the Capital Region Ring Road were among the key works reviewed, along with pending land acquisition compensation and other procedural clearances.
Appreciating the proactive role played by district administrations so far, the Chief Secretary urged collectors and departmental heads to sustain coordination efforts, clear outstanding hurdles within stipulated deadlines and ensure accelerated completion of projects crucial to the state’s economic and regional development.
