Odisha approves 10 eco-retreats & nature camps

On 26 August 2022, an eco-tourism complex near the reservoir at Ghodahada, Digapahandi, in Ganjam district was inaugurated

The Odisha state administration has approved development of 10 eco-retreats and 3 nature camps, in a meeting held on 26 August 2022…more details

CM inaugurates projects at Digapahandi

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik virtually inaugurated a cotton ginning and pressing mill and bus terminal at Digapahandi in Ganjam district on 12 August 2021. The ginning and pressing mill was constructed with an investment of Rs 3.28 crore.Read more

Chhatrapur titanium project clears legal hurdles

The Department of law, Government of Odisha has cleared Saraf Agencies Pvt Ltd’s (SAPL) much delayed titanium project at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district of Odisha. Saraf Agencies is planning to set up the project.

Orissa plans to upgrade 250 km of roadways

The Orissa Government is planning to develop about 250 kms of roads in Malkangiri, Raygada, Ganjam, Koraput and Sambalpur districts. These road projects are likely to involve an estimated expenditure of Rs 400 crore.

The Union Government has agreed to provide the funds for five to six road projects in those affected areas and out of it, it has approved three. The roads which have been sanctioned are Samasingha (Sinduraparua)-Sambalpur, Parlakhemundi-Mohana via R Udayagiri and Gunupur-Andhra border via Kashipur. The Works Department of Orissa has sent the DPR for these roads to the Union Government. Work on these projects is likely to start after 3-4 months after the tender process is over.

Meanwhile, a team of the World Bank officials have visited the new road sites being taken up under Orissa State Road Project (OSRP). These stretches are construction of the 68-km Bhawanipatna-Khariar road, 95 km long Chandbali-Bhadrakh-Anandapur road and 41 km Berhampur-Taptapani road. After some delay in those projects, the works have finally taken off.

Under Phase I of OSRP, construction of 204 kms of roads is proposed to be constructed. Similarly, construction of 257 kms of road is likely to be taken up in the second phase of OSRP. This includes Taptapani-Raipanka road (68 km), Raipanka-JK Pur (83km) and Jagatpur-Chandabali (106 km).

Phase II expansion of Gopalpur port to be delayed

The Phase II expansion of the Gopalpur port in Ganjam district is likely to be delayed by a year following the delay in receiving clearances from the Union MoEF.

The expansion entailing an estimated investment of Rs 950 crore, has not got the MoEF nod despite the request made to the ministry by the Orissa Government following the recommendation of the Orissa State Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The delay in the environmental clearance is attributed to the protests from the wildlife activists and environmentalists who fear that the port expansion will impact the Olive Ridley turtles which congregate every year at the Rushikulya river mouth, about 40 km from the port.

The Phase II expansion aims to raise the port’s capacity to 20 million tpa and was scheduled to be commissioned in 2011. A consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India, with others like Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, and Allahabad Bank is likely to fund the expansion.