Bhubaneswar: Construction of 49 road projects worth Rs 1,721 crore has been completed and will be inaugurated soon, Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced after chairing a review meeting on Monday. Similarly, the foundation for 47 new projects worth Rs 12,102 crore will soon be laid, the minister added.
Centre's Support and Planned Approach
Harichandan stated, "The Centre is always ready to provide more support to Odisha. Many projects are currently under construction in the state, and more projects are set to become operational. Keeping this in mind, we must work in a planned manner." He advised department officials to adopt a systematic approach to ensure timely completion and efficient execution of all infrastructure initiatives.
Review Meeting Highlights
During the meeting, officials discussed 30 ongoing projects, 14 awaiting work orders, and four in the tendering process. Among the ongoing projects are the Bhanjanagar to Aska road, Riamal bypass road, Berhampur bypass, Khariar road ROB, Puri-Matiapada ROB, Nayagarh bypass, Kesinga ROB, high-level bridge on Malkangiri-Motu road, Kandarapur-Balikuda road, and Kotpad bypass road, among others.
Performance and Targets
"With collective cooperation, we have performed better in infrastructure development compared to previous years. However, to maintain this momentum and accelerate project implementation, we need to set independent targets," said Harichandan. The discussions also covered projects awaiting work orders and those in the tender process, emphasizing the need for streamlined procedures.
Efficiency and Coordination
Works Department Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh addressed department officials, chief engineers, and executive engineers, highlighting the importance of greater efficiency in advancing project work. He stressed coordinating with various departments on land acquisition, forest land approval, utility shifting, and accurate planning and design to avoid delays and ensure smooth execution.
About the Author
Hemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture, and tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011 and holds a PG degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Berhampur University. He has won the Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.
