Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a number of development projects in Balangir, Keonjhar, Khurda, and Boudh districts.
The projects inaugurated by the CM through video conference include the renovated Harishankar Temple in Balangir district, Odisha’s longest 3 km flyover built at a cost of Rs 258.78 crore at Joda in Keonjhar and 762-meter railway over-bridge built at Rs 105 crore at Jatni Kudiari in Khurda.
Naveen also inaugurated Odisha’s longest bridge of 3 km constructed at a cost of Rs 159.31 crore over Mahanadi on Athmallik-Dhalpur road, a 600-meter-long bridge over Tel river constructed for Rs 45.84 crore and Boudh-Maryakud link road for Rs 71.59 crore.
This apart, the Chief Minister foundation stone for the improvement work of Mahapuru Achutananda Das Peetha in Nemalo in Cuttack district and the construction of a 1738-meter-long river bridge connecting Birmaharajpur road.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said these projects implemented under the 5T initiative will play an important role in the development of tourism and infrastructure.
Describing Harishankar as one of the major Peethas of Odisha, he said he transformation of this peetha under the Integrated Development of Heritage and Monuments and Tourist Destination Plan helps in providing better services to the pilgrims and also plays an important role in the economic development of the residents.
He further said that culture is the identity of a nation. Its protection is the moral responsibility of everyone. The foundation stone was laid today for the conversion of the Gadi and Peeth of Sri Sri Achutananda in Cuttack district and Maa Ugratara Peeth in Khurda district. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the development of these great Peethas will further strengthen the emotional bond of the Odia race.
Inaugurating the state’s largest flyover at Joda in Keonjhar, the railway overbridge at Jatni, a high-level bridge over Tel River, Boudh-Marjakud Road and the largest bridge on Ashtamalli-Dhalpur, the CM said these projects will further strengthen our communication system and reduce travel time. All these projects will benefit millions of people. Stating that communication is the basis of prosperity, he said that the 5T initiative has brought a massive transformation in infrastructure development in the state today and it has widened the path of development.
The Chief Minister called upon everyone to continue the people’s cooperation to build a new Odisha and strong Odisha.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman V K Pandian coordinated the programme and said that Baba Harishankar’s Peetha conversion work has been completed beautifully with everyone’s cooperation in a short period.
