BONAI (SUNDARGARH): The backward Bonai sub-divisional headquarters in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district has scripted a success story with rapid growth of urban infrastructure and basic amenities due to sincere efforts of the local administration of late.
Defying fund crunch of Bonai gram panchayat, the town has witnessed rapid growth of urban infrastructure with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of industrial and mining houses. Besides, the income generation of the panchayat has witnessed manifold increase.
Sources said before less than seven months, the town, which is also the headquarters of Bonai block and Bonai panchayat, used to wear an ugly and backward look with poor civic facilities. Under the initiative of new Bonai Sub-Collector Surendra Kumar Meena who joined his job in September last year, things have looked up.
The neglected RDD multipurpose ground has been developed with construction of boundary wall and toilet facility with CSR fund of `24 lakh. While CSR fund of `37.32 lakh was used for developing the dilapidated bus stand by adding a guard wall, toilets, parking area and other facilities, `10 lakh are being utilised from the fund for water supply and other associated facilities. Besides, a children's park is constructed and a hydraulic tractor introduced for garbage lifting at `25 lakh from the CSR fund.
Lauding the efforts of the Sub-Collector Meena, Bonai Sarpanch Namita Naik said the panchayat was recently awarded by the State Government for becoming economically self-sufficient. Official sources said the panchayat managed to collect outstanding dues of water tax and shop rent amounting to `seven lakh in a short span.
Moreover, 80 new shops were constructed and unauthorised roadside shopkeepers and kiosk owners rehabilitated on a permanent rental basis. Thirty-five more shops are under construction as the total immovable and movable assets of the panchayat have gone up to above `two crore and the cash balance jumped to above `25 lakh from `seven lakh. Encroachments have given way to construction of wide roads and parallel drainage system. Buoyed by the progress made by the town, the district administration has paved way for construction of 1.6 km four-lane road and 900 metres of wide drain with pavement at a cost of `4.5 crore by Public Works Department (PWD).
Efforts are underway to cover 1.6 km with street lights and 4.5 km with internal drainage lines with CSR contribution of `45 lakh, while area beautification drive is underway.
Meena said he aims at transforming the town with urban facilities during his tenure. A shop-keeper Kousal Mohanty said recent development is surprising as well as pleasant as it has been elusive for the erstwhile princely estate of Bonaigarh till date.