Four-laning of NH to Puri 80% over: Odisha minister

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 20:

Law Minister Arun Sahu today informed the Odisha Assembly that 80 per cent work on four laning of Puri-Bhubaneswar national highway was complete.

In his reply to an adjournment motion notice on tardy progress in preparations for the Nabakalebar Yatra, the minister said that work is in progress on a drinking water supply project in Puri at an estimated cost of Rs 243 crore and the construction of the new bus stand at Malatipatapur will be completed before the Nabakalebar Yatra.

Expressing disappointment over the minister’s reply on the adjournment motion, BJP members staged a walkout while the minister was giving his reply on the motion.

The Minister’s reply did not contain anything on apprehensions expressed by the DGP over provision of security during the Nabakalebar in the event of non-completion of various infra projects before a specific time frame, Opposition members pointed out.

“The apprehensions expressed by the DGP over security in the event of non-completion of different works, some by February, some by March and some by at least April 15 that security cannot be assured. Therefore if these works are not completed, can security be provided?” asked Leader of the Opposition Narsingha Mishra speaking to reporters outside the Assembly. He said the minister’s reply had nothing on this account.

BJP MLA from Padampur Pradip Purohit told reporters outside the House that the state government is not responding to the challenge with the urgency it should. Its approach is slow. Moreover, it’s trying to politicise it. We all respect Shankaracharya, this government’s approach led to a controversy last year and the seer did not climb the chariots during Rath Yatra.”

“Rath Yatra will be held on July 18, all departments have expressed their keenness to complete their all works before that. I am sure all work will be completed before that. Different departments have expedited their works in view of the 50 lakh crowd expected during the Nabakalebar Yatra,” the Law minister said trying to lay the apprehensions of members to rest.

Drainage work will be completed in Puri before Nabakalebar of Lord Jagannath, said Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singhdeo in the House today.

Steps will be taken for improving sewerage system in several towns of the state, including Puri, by adopting the decentralized management system, informed Singhdeo.

In the first phase, improvement in sewerage system will be made in 26 towns in the state using decentralized management system.

In the first phase, machines will be purchased for 33 urban local bodies for solid waste segregation using cesspool method, Singhdeo told the House. It will be implemented in all municipalities in phases, the minister informed.