Bhubaneswar: 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian reviewed various development projects during his visit to Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Saturday.
Pandian reviewed the progress of Baitarani Left Embankment Strengthening and Road Development Project at a cost of Rs 150.24 crore. The project was taken up based on feedback from people during his last visit to Dhamnagar in December 2023.
The embankment strengthening project will reduce the impact of floods in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Chandbali area from river Baitarani. The pucca road from Biridi to Tintar Ghat on the river embankment will reduce the travel time by 2 hours, provide faster access to Jajpur Medical College and also to NH 16. The project would benefit approximately 1,20,00 people in Bhadrak.
He also reviewed the progress of Akhuapada and Kochila instream storage structures over river Baitarani at a total cost of Rs 681 crore. Both the projects would provide irrigation facilities to an ayacut area of 81,200 acre. Water would also be available in the Rabi season for cultivation. It would also help in fishery sector development in the area.
During his interaction with the public in meetings at Akhuapada Field and IGM College Field in Dhamnagar, he informed about major decisions taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik including increase in social security pensions across all categories by Rs 500 each that would benefit around 58 lakh beneficiaries.
He also informed that financial assistance under MAMATA Yojana has been increased from Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000. This will further benefit women and infants towards improved nutrition and better health outcomes.
He said the Chief Minister has launched a novel initiative in providing Nua-O Scholarships to the under-graduate and post-graduate students studying in state universities, government and non-government aided colleges including Sanskrit Colleges and unaided colleges under Higer Education department.
Under the initiative, male students will get Rs 9,000, while the female students will get Rs 10,000 per annum. The students belonging to SC/ST and Nirman Shramik families will get Rs 10,000 (male) and Rs 11,000 (female) per annum. The scholarships for the current academic year will be deposited in the bank accounts of the eligible students from February 26.
He informed about the rolling out of bus service under LaCCMI scheme in every panchayat of the district in which the bus fare for female passengers and students will be Rs 5 only.
