BHAWANIPATNA: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the State Government is focusing on irrigation and communication in Kalahandi, which is already on the path of development.
Addressing a public gathering at Junagarh on Thursday, he said, “the district has potential for further development in agriculture, industrial and allied sectors.”
Naveen, however, did not comment on the future of Jaring Medical College and the proposed agriculture university in Kalahandi.
Maintaining that the State Government was sincere towards the problems in the farming sector, the Chief Minister said his Government is trying its best to help the farmers.
The Chief Minister inaugurated four projects and laid foundation stones for as many in Kalahandi district. He inaugurated a mega lift irrigation project at Utkella under Kesinga block which will irrigate 1,500 hectares, a high-level bridge over river Tel at Chilpa in Dharamgarh block and river Behera near Tendapali. Both the bridges have been constructed at a cost of Rs 12.12 crore and Rs 2.5 crore respectively. He also inaugurated a bridge over river Mudra near Chilguda in Koksara block, constructed at a cost of Rs 3.29 crore.
Naveen laid the foundation stone for Indravati Right canal renovation works estimated at Rs 325.95 crore, high-level bridges over Pipal nullah near Kamthana in Bhawanipatna block, Khapar nullah in Junagarh block and river Mudra at Khuntia in Koksara block.
The CM was accompanied by Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singhdeo. Prior to his visit, 13 Congress workers, including former Junagarh NAC chairman Sudhansu Sekhar Barad, were taken into preventive custody. They were released after Naveen flew out to Gudvela in Balangir district.