Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Monday launched 593 urban development projects worth Rs 323 crore across 62 cities and towns.
He also announced a package of Rs 560 crore for the development of 28 new Notified Area Councils (NACs) in the state.
“I appeal to municipal administration officials to ensure that citizens receive their rightful services on time. We must change the old system of making people visit government offices repeatedly,” Majhi said.
The chief minister was speaking at a function here on the occasion of State-Level Local Self-Governance Day.
Majhi also urged municipal authorities to make proper use of technology and online mechanisms in order to improve efficiency.
He said the goal should be to modernise cities and make them smarter by involving academic research.
Of the 593 projects, 423 completed works worth around Rs 102 crore were launched by the CM, while foundation stones were laid for 170 projects to be implemented at an investment of Rs 221 crore.
The projects include development of roads, civic amenities and other related work, an official said.
Each NAC will receive Rs 20 crore for roads, housing and other infrastructure, Majhi said.
“We have to make cities economic centres, where the youth will get new opportunities, entrepreneurs will expand and new jobs will be created,” he said.
On the occasion, MoUs were also signed for capacity building of municipal bodies.
