Odisha Reviews Progress of Key Infrastructure Projects, Stresses Timely Forest Clearance Processing

Bhubaneswar: A high-level coordination meeting was held today at the Home Department Conference Hall to review and expedite the processing of forest diversion proposals linked to major infrastructure projects in Odisha. The meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, focused on resolving forest-related bottlenecks impacting key projects of NHAI, Indian Railways, OPTCL, GSI, Reliance Jio Infocom Limited, and others.

The ACS assessed the progress made since the previous review meeting held in September, evaluating timelines and current status of several critical projects listed under the PMG and PRAGATI portals of both Central and State Governments. These include the Capital Region Ring Road Project, the Goru–Mahisani New Railway Line of South Eastern Railway, the 4G-based Mobile Service Project of Reliance Jio, the Exploration Proposal of the Geological Survey of India, Kalta Iron Ore Mines of SAIL, Transmission Line Projects of OPTCL, and the Integrated Steel Plant Proposal of Kalyani Steel Ltd.

During the meeting, the ACS directed all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests (RCCFs) and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to fast-track the approval and processing of forest diversion proposals, treating these projects as a top priority. Field officers were instructed to proactively clear all pending issues at their level to prevent unnecessary delays.

The ACS also emphasized strict adherence to prescribed timelines and urged officials to maintain close inter-departmental coordination to ensure timely implementation. Nodal Officers were directed to closely monitor progress, facilitate approvals, and ensure compliance at every stage of the process.

User agencies, including NHAI, Railways, OPTCL, and Reliance Jio, were advised to submit all necessary documents, maps, and enclosures to the concerned forest divisions without delay to expedite processing.

The meeting was attended by Additional PCCF (Nodal) Dr. K. Murugesan, Officer on Special Duty and Special Secretary Shri Lingaraj Otta, CMD of OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, CCF (Nodal) A.K. Kar, and the Chief Engineer of Railways. All Regional Chief Conservators of Forests, Divisional Forest Officers, and senior officers from user agencies participated—both in person and virtually.