Bhubaneswar: On the directions of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian on Friday visited Kandhamal district to review various development works.
The 5T Secretary met the students and common people to hear about their problems and took steps to resolve them.
The 5T Secretary first visited Maa Baraladevi temple in Khajuriapada block and offered his prayers to deity. He held discussions with temple management committee members regarding the development of the shrine and urged the District Collector to prepare and submit a detailed project report for the same.
Then, he reached at the under-construction bus stand project at Phulbani and reviewed its construction work.
Pandian stressed on proper construction of various infrastructures for the convenience of passengers. Rs 5.29 crore is being spent on this project. He directed to complete all the project work within the stipulated time period.
Later, 5T Secretary Pandian held a detailed discussion about the overall development of the district with the general public, civil society and representatives of various associations at the Phulbani Sports Complex. All present emphasized on the overall development of tourism in Kandhamal. He directed the District Collector to provide a detailed report for the overall development of tourism in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the 5T Secretary said that a modern medical college and hospital is being built in Kandhamal. He said that the work will be completed by the end of December this year. He said that the people of Kandhamal and surrounding districts will be able to get better quality treatment at the college and hospital built at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.
He also said that a mega pipe water project will be implemented at a cost of Rs 499.91 crore to provide quality drinking water to the people of Kandhamal district. Water will be drawn through pipes from river Mahanadi flowing in Boudh district. Through this, the people of Phulbani, Khajuriapada, Firingia and Chakapad areas can get piped clean drinking water.
He met the college students of the district at Phulbani Reserve Police Ground. The 5T Secretary said that all the 36 educational institutions of the district have been included in the 5T transformation program and steps have been taken to improve them and an investment of Rs 18.75 crore will be made for this. While Rs 7.50 crore has been sanctioned for 11 degree colleges in the district, Rs 11.25 crore has been sanctioned for 25 higher secondary schools. A total of 23,777 students are studying in these educational institutions. He directed the officials to review the works regularly and complete those on time.
Pandian discussed the Mission Shakti programme with Mission Shakti members, Bank Mitras and other representatives at the Coronation Ground in Phulbani.
He said that the Mission Shakti programme has played an instrumental role as a powerful platform towards the transformation of society and women’s empowerment. While appreciating various programs conducted by Mission Shakti members he suggested for further improvement.
Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna, Kandhamal Collector and other officials were present during the 5T Secretary’s visit.