In a significant push for urban infrastructure and healthcare, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated multiple development projects during his visit to Sambalpur on Sunday. The highlight was the foundation stone laying for a massive Rs 451.2-crore water supply project designed to provide round-the-clock purified drinking water to the city.
A Quantum Leap in Water Supply for Sambalpur
The ambitious water supply initiative is set to transform the daily lives of approximately five lakh residents across 41 wards of Sambalpur city. Chief Minister Majhi highlighted that the city currently faces a daily shortage of about 30 million litres of water during the dry season, a critical issue this project aims to resolve permanently.
The project's extensive infrastructure will involve laying around 340 kilometres of pipelines throughout Sambalpur. It includes the construction of an intake well and two modern water treatment plants. One plant with a 65 million litres per day (MLD) capacity will be built in Sambalpur, and another with a 35 MLD capacity will be established in Burla.
Emphasising the scheme's quality, Majhi stated that this project is part of the Central government's 'AMRUT 2.0' initiative under the 'Drink from Tap' scheme. "This will enable residents to drink water directly from the tap without the need for any additional filtration," the Chief Minister said.
Boosting Emergency Healthcare with Advanced Trauma Centre
Parallel to the water project, CM Majhi inaugurated an advanced trauma care centre and a new OPD building at the Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital. He underscored the urgent need for such facilities, citing rising accident rates across the state.
"There is a need to establish trauma care centres in every district due to increasing accident rates. The primary goal is to offer prompt and assured medical treatment to accident victims," Majhi explained. He revealed that steps are being taken to open 89 such advanced trauma care centres statewide, which are expected to significantly reduce accident-related fatalities and ensure timely, quality medical care.
Further strengthening the hospital's infrastructure, a Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) building, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.53 crore, was also inaugurated. This modern facility will ensure thorough cleaning and sterilisation of medical materials and equipment using advanced systems.
A Holistic Push for Infrastructure and Health
The Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to strengthening Odisha's overall healthcare infrastructure by systematically upgrading hospitals across the state. The dual focus on essential civic amenities like 24x7 water supply and critical emergency medical services marks a concerted effort towards holistic urban development.
The projects launched in Sambalpur are seen as a model for addressing both basic human needs and advanced medical care, setting a precedent for similar initiatives in other urban centres of Odisha. The completion of the water project is anticipated to end decades of water scarcity for Sambalpur's residents, while the trauma centre is poised to become a lifesaving hub for the western region of the state.
