Bhubaneswar: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has allocated Rs 1.55 crore from his MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development) fund for development of peripheral areas surrounding Bahanaga of Odish's Balasore district, where a train accident on June 2 claimed at least 293 lives.

As a representative of the state in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Vaishnaw has sanctioned Rs 1 crore for various development projects in Bahanaga and nearby villages. Additionally, Rs 35 lakh has been allocated for the procurement of an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance for the Balasore district headquarters hospital, while another Rs 20 lakh will contribute towards the establishment of a modular operation theatre at the Balasore Lions' Eye Hospital.

The proposed developmental initiatives in Bahanaga include the construction of five community centers and halls, complete with toilets and facilities for cold drinking water with reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Furthermore, plans include the creation of a children's park and gymnasium in close proximity to Basuli High School, as well as the reinforcement of the road connecting NH-16 to level crossing No. 95.

Additionally, efforts will be made to repair the village road at Sathi, improve the Pranabandhu Bidyapitha playground, and install 42 solar streetlights to enhance the overall infrastructure.