Odisha Cabinet approved ten important proposals including massive plantation drive along the banks of Brahmani, Baitarani and Rushikulya rivers

Bhubaneswar9/11/18:: Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved ten important proposals including massive plantation drive along the banks of Brahmani, Baitarani and Rushikulya rivers and LED streetlights in all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha on PPP mode.

The proposals received nod in the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik this afternoon at the State Secretariat here.

Briefing the mediapersons after the meeting, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said, “As per the approved proposals, plantation work will also be taken up along both sides of Baitarani, Brahmani and Rushikulya rivers and their tributaries and distributaries for 2019-20. The left over area of Mahanadi, Tel and Ib will also be taken up in 2019-20. During the period from 2018-19 to 2022-23 it is proposed to cover 41300 ha and 1041 RKM Avenue plantation out of which 10000 ha, will be used under AR plantaion, 30000 ha Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), 1300 ha Bamboo plantation.”

“Total outlay of the new scheme has been estimated at Rs 448 crores. Out of the projected requirement Rs 415 crore is meant for plantation activities and Rs 33 crore for non-plantation activities,” the Chief Secretary informed.

Padhi also said that retrofitting of existing conventional street lights with LED lights across all ULBs will be made through Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL) that is a Government of India Enterprise.This apart, the Odisha Cabinet approved Tata Projects Limited’s bid to construct the 100-seated Medical College at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district on Turnkey Basis. The work will be completed in two years of time without any price escalation.

Similarly, the Cabinet also approved the significant proposal with regard to the tender works for ‘Construction of Multi Utility Complex and PG Students’ Hostel at Sardar Vallav Bhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (SVPPGIP), Sishu Bhawan, Cuttack on Turnkey Basis’.

The tender for this work was floated with an estimated cost of Rs 99.85 crore and M/s Bridge and Roof Co. (India) Limited’s bid has been approved for construction of the project. The work will be completed in two years of time without any price escalation.