District Collectors Told to Accelerate Infrastructure and Welfare Projects

Bhubaneswar: With a renewed thrust on accelerating grassroots development, Chief Secretary Anu Garg held an extensive review meeting with district Collectors to take stock of the implementation status of major government schemes and infrastructure projects across Odisha.

The meeting, attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh along with Principal Secretaries and Commissioners of key departments, focused on assessing financial sanctions and physical progress of works under MLA Local Area Development Scheme (LAD), MP LAD, and Chief Minister’s Special Assistance (CMSA). District administrations were directed to fast-track completion of pending and partially executed projects, while ensuring that newly approved works are initiated without delay.

Key administrative and implementation challenges were discussed in detail, particularly in the areas of minor mineral management and preparation of District Survey Reports (DSRs) for systematic resource identification. The progress of airport and heliport projects was also reviewed, with emphasis on resolving land acquisition issues and expediting compensatory afforestation through closer inter-departmental coordination.

The meeting further examined the identification of suitable sites for Excise Department infrastructure in districts and evaluated the pace of mega drinking water projects. Officials were instructed to strengthen coordination mechanisms to remove operational bottlenecks and improve on-ground execution.

In a major directive, the Chief Secretary asked districts to ensure the completion of all single-village drinking water supply schemes and solar-powered drinking water projects by March 2026, underscoring the State’s priority on safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water access for all habitations.

Senior officials from Planning and Coordination and other line departments participated in the deliberations. The review concluded with a call for sharper monitoring, time-bound action plans and accountability to translate policy intent into tangible development outcomes at the district level.