Rourkela: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday announced two major projects worth Rs 660 crore for all-round development of the Steel City.
“We are committed to make Rourkela a model city and work on an underground sewerage system worth Rs 400 crore will begin soon,” Patnaik told media at a public meeting at Birsa Munda stadium here Wednesday to mark the construction workers’ week.
The first tender of the project has been completed. Patnaik said a housing project worth Rs 260 crore would begin here soon for the poor and slum dwellers. Besides, 50,000 houses would be built for workers engaged in construction activities.
The state government would give dividends to kendu leaf workers, he added
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a number of projects in Sundargarh district including a bridge over Koel river built at a cost of over Rs 12 crore. He also distributed cheques to construction workers and kendu leaf workers.
Among others, steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick, Rajya Sabha MP Dillip Tirkey, Rajgangpur MLA Mangala Kishan, Raghunathpalli MLA Subrat Tarai, RDA chairman Sarada Prasad Nayak addressed the gathering. Construction workers’ welfare board chairman Subas Singh presided over the meeting while labour commissioner Rupa Mishra delivered the welcome address. Sundargarh district collector Bhupendra Singh Punia proposed the vote of thanks.
Police had gheraoed the district Congress office at Sector-21 during the CM’s visit to avoid incidents like egg hurling and black flag protest. Over 50 party workers had to stay inside from Tuesday midnight till 1 pm Wednesday. Police arrested 40 Congress workers including former MLA Pravat Mohapatra to prevent untoward incidents.
A number of supporters and party workers were disappointed as Patnaik did not visit places like Jalda, STI and ITI to inaugurate and lay foundation for some projects. He laid foundation stones of all projects at Jhirpani bridge by touching the plaques.
PNN
