Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday laid the foundation for 19 Instream Storage Structures in 13 districts of the State.
The districts are Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Khordha, Puri, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh. The State Government will spend Rs 4600 crore for these projects.
On the occasion, the enthusiasm of the people was seen in the programmes organized at various places. Over 15,000 farmers were present in Kendrapara. About 10,000 of them were women.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that our farmers will be immensely benefited by the project, especially in the area of drinking water supply. The projects will also help in fish farming, animal husbandry etc. The project will increase the groundwater level and balance the environment.
The Chief Minister said that such projects are very important for our sustainable development. Besides, these projects will also help in flood control, he added.
The Chief Minister said that in 2020, the plan for Instream Storage was started with Rs 11,700 crore. So far, programmes have been prepared for 72 projects in 3 phases.
Highlighting the various measures taken for the welfare of farmers in the state, the Chief Minister said that this project is aimed at the development of farmers and protection of the environment. Our programmes like KALIA Yojana, interest free loan facility for farmers, payment of crop insurance premium etc. have boosted the confidence of farmers in the state.
Tukuni Sahu, Minister of Water Resources, who was present in Balangir, said that the Chief Minister has strong determination for the betterment of the farmers. The Chief Minister has started this project to get water during the summer.
Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, was present in Kendrapara’s Mahakalapada. He said that the Chief Minister has always given importance to the development of Kendrapara. Not only this project, but many others are being implemented in the district. He thanked the Chief Minister and 5T Chairman for the ArcelorMittal project.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is undertaking projects for the improvement in all parts of the state. He expressed his gratitude to the people for their continuous support to the welfare projects.
Explaining that the Chief Minister had made a lot of efforts during his visit to Japan for the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel project at Kendrapara, Pandian said that the Chief Minister would soon perform the Bhoomi Pujan for the plant.