Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The state government has drawn flak from the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Assembly over the tardy progress of work ahead of Nabakalebar that is to be held in July.
The delay in completion of Nabakalebar projects has raised concern over how the government would hold the event smoothly, said Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati, who raised the issue during Zero Hour.
“Facilities such as toilets, trauma care centre in the city and systems for smooth traffic control are yet to be put in place. The state government must ensure safety and security of tourists,” he said.
“Even DGP Sanjeev Marik has raised doubts over the timely completion of the Nabakalebar projects,” Bahinipati said,
“The government has completely failed in completing projects within the stipulated time with 40 to 50 per cent works still to be completed,” Naba Das of the Congress said.
“The four laning work of Bhubaneswar-Puri NH is yet to be completed,” Das said. “The Congress and Janata Dal governments had shown negligence during the Nabakalebar festival in 1977 and 1996 respectively. Lord Jagannath punished them. Both the parties were dethroned. The same will happen to this BJD government,” he said.
Congress member Krushna Chandra Sagaria blamed the state government for politicizing the event by removing Aravind Padhee from the post of chief administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and asked the state government to heed the PK Patra Commission’s recommendation for Nabakalebar preparations.
BJP member Pradeep Purohit also criticised the government for doing politics over it and said focus must be given on strengthening health and sanitation, drinking water facility, security. “Facilities for common people should be given priority rather than facilities for the VIPs,” he said.
However, BJD member Amar Satpathy said, “The state government has made a budget provision of nearly `100 crore for things such as Nabakaleber rituals, tourism police, creation of parking and bus terminal.”
Law minister Arun Sahoo said, “All pending work would be completed by June. As the government is expecting 50 lakh people during the festival that is to start July 18, all steps are being taken to ensure proper facilities and smooth conduction of the majestic event.”
