BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today approved 54 projects worth Rs 607 crore for expansion and strengthening of basic service in nine urban centres under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
The projects approved at the state high powered steering committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A P Padhi will be implemented in 2017-18. Priority has been given to drinking water supply with the sanction of 36 projects at an estimated cost of Rs 508 crore.
The committee has approved the proposals of Urban Development department for four sewerage management projects worth Rs 84 crore and development of parks and green belt involving a cost of Rs 15 crore.
The Chief Secretary asked the department to ensure supply of safe drinking water to all households in the nine AMRUT mission towns within the next three years. AMRUT mission is implemented in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Balasore, Bhadrak and Baripada. The projects will be submitted to the Centre for approval.
Funding of the project is shared between the centre and the state government. In the state annual action plan (SAAP) for 2016-17, 148 projects involving an investment of Rs 992 crore was approved by the steering committee.
Of the sanctioned projects, tenders have ben floated for 75 projects while works orders were issued for 42 projects. The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects and directed the executing agencies to complete them as per schedule.
The AMRUT scheme focuses on water supply, sewerage facilities and septage management, storm water drains to reduce flooding, strengthening of public transport facilities and creating public amenities like parks and recreation clubs.