Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday virtually inaugurated several development projects, including the 2.8 km drain box under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project (OISIP) in Cuttack.
“A total of Rs 4,000 crore has been spent on the project and it includes an underground sewerage system, new sewage treatment plants and improved drainage facilities for people in twin cities,” Naveen said.
The 3.5 km box drain under the state-of-the-art sewerage and drainage project was planned to facilitate communication over the main storm water channel (MSWC) — 1 from Buxi Bazar to Matrubhawan through Patapole to ease traffic congestion, and prevent stench emanating from the open drain.
The CM also distributed land rights certificates to 21,427 slum dwellers in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Rourkela and dedicated 626 Biju Adarsha Colonies to people in 26 cities of the state. The project will benefit about two lakh families while freeing the cities from slums.
He also inaugurated the 24×7 drinking water supply facility in Berhampur, making it the eighth city in the state to be covered under ‘Drink From Tap’ Mission.
The CM said the development programmes initiated under 5T initiative in different cities and towns will help the state in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further said the Drink From Tap Mission is a big step in the development of global standard public health system as good drinking water solves 50 per cent of health problems.
Naveen also dedicated Rs 4,000 crore Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. This
He inaugurated several other facilities including drinking water projects in Suguda, Brijrajnagar and Belpahad for 2.75 lakh residents and dedicated 3,699 new road projects and 6,961 civic amenities projects in several cities of the state.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of 27 water supply projects worth Rs 1,164 crore in 24 cities of the state.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi and Additional Chief Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department G Mathi Bhathanon attended the inauguration programme.
