Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken steps to expedite the ambitious Chheligada Irrigation Project for water supply to Gajapati and Ganjam districts.
On the instruction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian on Wednesday visited the proposed project site in Gajapati district and reviewed its progress.
Pandian visited the project area located in R Udaygiri and advised officials to take up the work on priority. He also met locals who were displaced due to the project and heard their grievances, official sources said.
Cheligarh Irrigation Project is estimated at Rs 936.63 crore. A 1,280-metre-long tunnel has been dug for this project through which Ganjam district will also receive water.
After the completion of this project, 5201 hectares metres water can be preserved and water can be supplied for irrigation of 5760 hectares land in Ganjam and 500 hectares land in Gajapati districts.
This will also provide drinking water to Brahampur city. Along with this, 36 MW of electricity can be produced through a mini hydel project in three places like Shiali Loti, Kankata and Dekili in Gajapati district.
Seven rehabilitation and resettlement colonies are being built for the affected people of 15 villages. Three resettlement colonies have been completed and people have started living here. The remaining 4 are under construction. This project will be completed by 2025-26.
Pandian reviewed the bus stand work at Gumma and suggested raising the standard of its work. He spoke to the Mission Shakti SHG members present there and praised their work. Later, he visited a 5T Transformed High School in Gumma and interacted with the students and teachers.
He reviewed Parlakhemundi Bypass Road project taken up at a cost of Rs 40 crore, and a new town hall under construction.
Gajapati district is the land of art and culture. Therefore, the Chief Minister has given permission to build a beautiful cultural building at a cost of Rs 5 crore in Parlakhemundi, Pandian said
In the afternoon, he had a discussion with the officials of Ramsagar and Krishnasagar minor irrigation projects. He said that steps will be taken to provide more facilities to the farmers of the irrigated areas.
Rs 10 crore will be spent for the restoration and beautification of Ramsagar. A DPR will be prepared within 15 days. Similarly, restoration of Krishna Sagar in Gosani Nuagaon block will be done at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
