Bhubaneswar: In a significant stride towards urban development, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik virtually inaugurated a slew of crucial projects on Thursday, showcasing the state’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Among the projects inaugurated was the 2.8 km drain box under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project (OISIP) in Cuttack.
The Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project, funded by JICA and amounting to a total expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore, encompasses an underground sewerage system, new sewage treatment plants, and improved drainage facilities for residents of the twin cities. The 3.5 km box drain, an integral part of the state-of-the-art sewerage and drainage project, aims to ease traffic congestion and eliminate unpleasant odors from open drains.
In a drive towards inclusive development, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik distributed land rights certificates to 21,427 slum dwellers in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Rourkela. Additionally, he dedicated 626 Biju Adarsha Colonies, benefitting around two lakh families and contributing to the transformation of cities by eradicating slums.
Berhampur became the eighth city in the state to be covered under the ‘Drink From Tap’ Mission, with the inauguration of a 24×7 drinking water supply facility. The Chief Minister emphasized that these development initiatives align with the 5T (Teamwork, Transparency, Technology, Time, and Transformation) initiative, fostering progress in various cities and towns and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Patnaik acknowledged the significance of the ‘Drink From Tap’ Mission, highlighting its impact on public health. He stated that good drinking water resolves 50% of health problems and is a crucial step towards developing a global standard public health system.
As part of the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated the Rs 4,000 crore Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Other facilities inaugurated included drinking water projects in Suguda, Brijrajnagar, and Belpahad, benefiting 2.75 lakh residents, along with 3,699 new road projects and 6,961 civic amenities projects across various cities in the state.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for 27 water supply projects worth Rs 1,164 crore in 24 cities across Odisha. Housing and Urban Development Minister Usha Devi and Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, G Mathi Bhathanon, were present at the inauguration ceremony, affirming the state’s dedication to comprehensive urban development and infrastructure enhancement.