Bhubaneswar: Following instruction of Chief Minister Sri Naveen Pattanaik, a High Level team comprising of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Additional Chief Secretary Water Resources Smt Anu Garng and Secretary to Chief Minister (5-T) Sri V.K Pandian visited Ganjam and Gajapati district today.
They looked in to the field level progress of various developmental projects in the districts. More particularly, the Team reviewed the progress of Ghatakeswar Muti Purpose Irrigation Project of being constructed over the river Ghadka with an estimated outlay of Rs. 172.06 cr. Reviewing the progress with field level Engineers, Chief Secretary Sri Mahapatra directed to complete the project by December of the current year. Accordingly Chief Secretary set timelines for different phases of the work.
Located at a distance of about 20 Kms from Berhampur city, this project covered a catchment area of about 23.55 sq km, and would irrigate around 600 hectares of land in Kukudakhandi block. In addition to this, the project would also supply 8.25 MLD drinking water to more than one Lakh people in Berhampur city, and adjoining areas.
After reviewing the project, the Top Level Administrative Team visited Puruna Patna High School of Kankia Gram Panchayat which was recently transformed under School Transformation Programme of the State Government. The officers interacted with students, teachers and staff of the school for assessing outcomes and utilities of the transformation project.
The transformation project in the school was completed between December 2021 to April 2022. In course of the interaction, the students and teachers expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister for all that they got viz. smart class room, e-library, computer aided teaching and learning, modern science laboratory, safe drinking water, good play ground, good washrooms, common rooms along with green and beautiful school environment.
Chief Secretary Sri Mahapatra directed the teachers to make best use of the new facilities created in interest of the students. He emphasized on making the students at par with the students of any national and international level schools.
During this visit, Chief Secretary also inaugurated the Solar Power Project in the school initiated by the district administration. Appreciating the green energy initiative, Secretray 5-T
Sri Pandian said that the project while ensuring assured power supply to the school will boost the teaching and learning activities. Collector Sri Kulange V Amruta appraised that the project would soon to be replicated in around 626 schools of the district.
Earlier this morning, the Team also visisted Gajpati district and looked into the progress of Chheligada Medium Irrigation and hydro-power generation project. After discussing with the filed level engineers Sri Mahapatra set timelines for different phases of the project and directed to complete the tunnel work by October of current year.
Replying to media query on the spot, Sri Mahapatra said that around 6260 hects of agricultural land in both Gajpati and Ganjam district could be irrigated through this project. He expressed the hope that temporary irrigation water could be supplied after completion of the tunnel. The entire dam project would be completed by 2024.
Collector Gajpati Sri Lingaraj Panda, Collector Ganjam Sri Kulange V. Amruta along with district level officers and Engineers of concerned presented necessary data about their respective districts for review during this visit.
