Bhubaneswar: September 20: Four new urban infrastructure projects estimated around Rs.1289 lakh was accorded in principle sanction under Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (OUIDF) in the Board of Trustees Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi today in secretariat conference hall wherein Secretary Housing & Urban Development Sri G. Mathivathanan outlined the issues for discussion. While approving the new projects Sri Padhi directed the officials of the Trust and the Housing & Urban Development department to assess the outcomes of the completed projects from the perspectives of service delivery and revenue generation. Chief Secretary further directed the OUIDF to explore multiple sources of funding for sustainability of the support to urban local bodies.
The new projects sanctioned included Toilet on wheels in Bhubaneswar estimated at Rs 56.20 lakhs. This project would be set up in 3 heritage sites, Master Canteen and Barmunda Bus stand of Bhubaneswar. Reclamation of water bodies at Hinjilicut estimated at Rs. 540.25 lakhs and Reclamation of water bodies at Titilagarh estimated Rs.541.33 cr; Compost plant in temporary transfer station at Gadakana of Bhubaneswar estimated at Rs.152 lakhs were other 3 projects sanctioned in the meeting. The primary objectives of the reclamation projects were conservation and sustainable management of the water bodies. Besides, the projects would also focus on restoration and development of Lake Periphery for better eco-system, aesthetics and environment building including tourist attraction.
Special Secretary Housing & Urban Development Sri Prem Kumar Jha while presenting the updates mentioned that as per orders of the Chief Secretary in last meeting, the credit ranking of 9 AMRUT cities have been completed. A project wise review system has been institutionalized in the housing & urban development department for fast tracking the implementation. A daily monitoring system of the projects through WhatsApp involving all stakeholders has also been introduced. Regular field checks are being conducted for effective monitoring. These measures have given a boost to the projects under implementation.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of major projects in different ULBs. The progress of setting up 56 Vending zones in Cuttack ; Augmentation of water supply to Goplapur Municipality; Fish markets at 2 locations in Sambalpur, Modern abattoir at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar, Bulk water supply Scheme to cater to the need of IIT, NISER, Infocity, Jatani and Khurdha ; Improvement of water supply to grater Berhampur; Sewerage system at Rourkela east & west; Slum rehabilitation project at Sudhipur, Satyanagar and Gadakana of Bhubaneswar; Sewerage system at Sambalpur; Reclamation of 14 water bodies in Bhubaneswar, Reclamation of 7 water bodies in Sambalpur; Reclamation of 3 water bodies in Berhampur; Energy efficient street lighting project in 5 Municipal Corporations and Regional solid waste processing facility and land fill for twin city of Bhubaneswar & Cuttack were reviewed. The progress of the projects was as per the time line. Even portion of some projects were found completed and put to public use. Chief Secretary Sri Padhi set the time line for balance works against each project.
Development Commissioner Sri R. Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary Finance Sri Tuhin Kanta Pandey Member Board of Trustees Sri Chimnaya Basu (Retired IAS), Secretary Housing & Urban Development Sri G. Mathivathanan, Municipal Commissioner, BMC Sri Krishan Kumar, Special Secretary Sri P. K. Jha along with other members of the Board participated in discussions.
