Bhubaneswar: Scripting a new milestone in the history of urban development in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched many facilities for the city dwellers, such as drinking water facility, Drink from Tap, Pavered Road, Sewerage System and many civic services.
The Chief Minister also provided land rights to slum dwellers and dedicated Biju Adarsh Colonies.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the city is the mirror of the development of a state. Prosperous cities indicate the prosperity of the state.
The Chief Minister said that all these development programs under the 5T initiative have improved the standard of living of the people. The Chief Minister said that all these projects will help in achieving our sustainable development goals.
The Chief Minister issued land right certificates to 21,427 families living in four cities of the state namely Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Rourkela. Along with this, 626 Biju Adarsh Colonies were dedicated in 26 cities of the state. Over 2 lakh families will be benefited from this. Along with this, 26 cities were declared slum-free. Like others in the city, they also had access to all the basic amenities.
The Chief Minister said that the Drink from Tap program of our state is a model for the whole country in the field of urban development. All families of Berhampur city get 24×7 Drink from Tap facility from today. Along with this, Drink from Tap facilities have been made available in 8 cities of the state, he said. He said that this is a big step in the development of global standard public health system in the state and said that good drinking water solves 50 percent of health problems.
Emphasizing on sanitation, the Chief Minister said that in Gandhiji’s words, it is more important than freedom. The Chief Minister dedicated the Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project for Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Rs 4,000 crore will be spent for this with the help of JICA. He said that the Underground Sewerage System, New Sewage Treatment Plant and Improved Drainage Facilities in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will further brighten the identity of our city.
On the occasion of launching the drinking water project, the Chief Minister said that drinking water projects have been started in many cities including Jharsuguda, Brijrajnagar and Belpahad. 2.65 lakh residents will benefit through this. Along with this, 3699 new Paved Roads and 6961 Civic Amenities Projects were dedicated in various cities in the improvement and rehabilitation plan. Expressing happiness over the implementation of the Jajya Yojana, the Chief Minister said that in our MUKTA Yojana, all the work is being done by the mothers and they are doing it well.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation for 27 water supply projects worth Rs. 1164 crore in 24 cities of the state.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi and Additional Chief Secretary of HUDD G Mathi vathanan were present among others on the occasion.