CUTTACK: The State Government has always given importance to infrastructure development in Odisha which is now ahead in different fields. Starting from welfare programmes for poor to disaster management, Odisha has become a model State, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after inaugurating the newly constructed bridge over Mahanadi river here on Sunday.
The Chief Minister who dedicated the newly built bridge named after Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, the architect of modern Odisha, to the people of the State on the occasion of Utkal Divas, said the bridge has shortened the distance between Cuttack and Dhenkanal by over 16 km. Besides, devotees can make quick trip to the famous Dhabaleswar shrine, he added.
Stating that a stretch of around 25,000 km road has been constructed across the State, the Chief Minister said the Rourkela-Sambalpur Biju Expressway was recently inaugurated.As many as 318 major bridges have been constructed during the last 17 years in the State. Of which, construction of seven major bridges over Mahanadi river has already been completed while work on five others on the river is in progress, he added.
Built at the cost of `157.47 crore, the three-lane bridge having a 10.5 m carriageway and a 6ft-wide footpath on both sides connecting from Chahata on the Ring Road in the north to Nuapatana near Choudwar will ensure better connectivity from Cuttack to Choudwar, Athagarh and Dhabaleswar. It will also ease traffic congestion on NH-16, the only connecting link between Sambalpur, Angul and Dhenkanal.Among others, Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab and all MLAs of Cuttack district were present.
Best wishes from Prime Minister and Chief Minister
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday greeted people of the State on the occasion of Utkal Divas. “Best wishes to my sisters and brothers of Odisha on Utkal Divas,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet. The Chief Minister also wished the people of the State on the day besides remembering the great men who had played a key role in formation of Odisha as a separate State on this day in 1936. “Our aim is to transform Odisha into the best State in the country by ensuring all round development of the people,” he said in a tweet. Odia language, culture and heritage would also be spread across the world, he said. Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also created a sand sculpture on the Puri beach to wish people on the occasion.
9 water kiosks inaugurated
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in association with several private organisations on Sunday inaugurated nine water kiosks in city on the occasion of Utkal Divas, Odisha’s foundation day. The water kiosks were inaugurated at Raj Mahal Square, Shatabdi Nagar, Unit - I market, Dumduma, CRPF Square, Damana Square, Rasulgarh, Dakara Bivisaneswara temple and in front of National Informatics Centre (NIC). Bhubaneswar Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena inaugurated the facility at Raj Mahal Square before instating the water kiosks at Shatabdi Nagar and Unit - I market. The water kiosks have three earthen pots with a capacity of 60 to 70 litres each. During a meeting chaired by the Mayor recently, various participants had stressed that two earthen pots at a kiosk were not enough. Following which, it was decided for keeping three earthen pots having a capacity of 60 to 70 litres each. BMC officials apprised that they will set up 100 more water kiosks in the city during summer for the denizens.
Heritage walkers celebrate
Bhubaneswar: Participants of the Ekamra Walks Old Town Circuit on Sunday celebrated the State’s foundation day with ‘Love for Odisha, Odia and Utkal Divas’ theme. The heritage walkers got an opportunity to listen to the tune of Bande Utkala Janani played with tabla by Sushant Kumar Jena and with violin by Chandan Sethi on Mukteswar - Siddheshwar temple premises. The participants of the heritage walk included, an NRI, IT professionals from Karnataka and West Bengal and city residents. USA-based NRI Sharbani Roy, who had earlier participated in the Monks, Caves and Kings heritage walk at Khandagiri and Udayagiri, said she participated in the Ekamra Walks Old Town Circuit on the last weekend of her trip. Mangalore-based dental surgeon Dr U Prabhakar, who came to the city with his daughter Neethi Lavanya, son Arjun NK and daughter-in-law Pooja L Bhatt, was informed that Utkal Divas is celebrated on April 1 every year and on this day in 1936, Odisha was formed on the basis of linguistic considerations.
Police Formation Day
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday took salute of a ceremonial parade organised in Cuttack to mark the 83rd Odisha Police Formation Day. During the event, the Chief Minister awarded prizes to police personnel for rendering outstanding services and also felicitated some retired police officers. Patnaik also asked Odisha Police for delivering justice to poor people and providing people-friendly services. DGP Dr RP Sharma was also present during the event. Similarly, the 83rd Odisha Police Formation Day was observed in Bhubaneswar. Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania attended the event and awarded 18 police personnel for their distinguished services.