Odisha CM launches development projects worth ₹890 crore in Balangir

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: In a significant boost to infrastructure and irrigation in Balangir district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a total of 83 development projects during his two-day visit to the region. These projects, valued at ₹890 crore, encompass a wide range of initiatives including irrigation systems, healthcare facilities, piped water supply, and road and bridge constructions.

Addressing public gatherings at Belpada and Patnagarh, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing irrigation facilities to benefit farmers. He inaugurated the upgradation of the 1,330-metre airstrip runway at Tushura, costing ₹65 crore, which will facilitate direct air travel between Balangir and Bhubaneswar, thereby accelerating the district's development.

The Chief Minister also laid the groundwork for the Upper Lanth irrigation project in Belpada block, with an investment exceeding ₹300 crore. This project is set to irrigate over 15,000 acres of farmland, benefiting approximately 38,000 farmers in 25 villages. He reassured the public of the government’s commitment to providing a minimum price of ₹3,100 for paddy, along with a promise of transparency in fund allocation, contrasting it with past mismanagement in similar projects.

Additionally, Majhi inaugurated a new sub-divisional medical and dialysis center in Patnagarh and laid the foundation for a bypass road that will address traffic congestion in the area. This bypass, with a budget of ₹118 crore, will feature a four-lane road, bridges over local nullahs, and new culverts.

Highlighting the progress of the Khurda-Balangir railway project, the Chief Minister noted that over 152 kilometers of track work has been completed. He expressed optimism about the impending operation of the Khurda-Balangir train, a project he attributed to the dedication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region.