Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 8: The Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Sunday attacked the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government over the slow progress of different infrastructure projects for the Nabakalebar festival.
OPCC has claimed that the state government has failed to complete even 50 per cent of the projects undertaken for the festival of lord Jagannath, which is scheduled to be held at Puri in July and for which the government expects about 50 lakh devotees to throng the city.
The present situation shows that the infrastructure projects cannot be completed in time, PCC president Prasad Harichandan said. The PCC chief alleged that there is lack of coordination between different administration departments and senior officials of the state.
“The state government is not serious about the festival that is going to witness a footfall of more than 30 lakh. There was no visible progress in communication facilities and basic amenities for people. Not a single Nabakalebar project is complete though the grand occasion is just four months away,” he said.
“How can the state government afford to ignore such a huge gathering?” Harichandan asked.
The PPC chief demanded 50 per cent concession for Nabakalebar tourists on railway fare, fares on state-run buses and state government’s guest houses. He demanded full-proof security for devotees and the temple during the festival.
Harichandan also demanded that the state government urge the Centre to declare the temple as no-fly zone during the extravaganza.
“The government is always reviewing the projects and no strict timeline is followed for their completion. The major construction works, including sewerage, railway lines, foot overbridges, bus terminal and electrification, are running behind schedule,” said senior Congress leader Lulu Mohaptara.
BJD spokesman Samir Das admitted that there was delay in some projects and said, “The government is strictly following the timeline and all projects would be completed in time.”
