The 6th Task Force meeting on the implementation of infrastructure development projects was held today at the conference hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The meeting began with a review of the progress of key infrastructure projects that receive significant emphasis in the Prime Minister’s “Pragati” meetings.
Discussions focused on various under-construction major road infrastructure projects, national highway initiatives, and large-scale projects related to the industry and water resources departments. Chief Secretary Garg highlighted that infrastructure projects are prioritised in the state’s annual budget every year, as they are crucial for Odisha’s overall development. She directed officials to resolve ongoing issues in the execution of these major projects and accelerate the work.
The meeting was attended by notable officials, including State Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with Principal Secretaries from the Works Department, Water Resources Department, and Commerce & Transport Department. Also present were the Managing Director of IDCO, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Odisha, Regional Officer of the National Highways Authority, and senior officials from various related state government departments. District Collectors from the concerned districts participated virtually.
A detailed review was conducted on the progress of large industrial projects across various districts. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department discussed the implementation status, ongoing challenges, and solutions for these projects. With the respective District Collectors, the meeting addressed the current status of project execution, steps taken so far, pending tasks, and measures to complete them promptly. Among other projects, discussions included the land acquisition status and work progress for the Jharsuguda and Barpali-Sardega Phase-2 rail connectivity initiatives.
From the Water Resources Department, Principal Secretary Subha Sharma presented updates on the progress of various under-construction irrigation projects. The Kanupur project’s work was noted as satisfactory, with emphasis on expediting the main canal and branch canal constructions. Other projects reviewed included the Turi-Guntat Diversion Weir Barrage in Nabarangpur district, Upper Udanti Barrage in Nuapada district, Gobindpalli Integrated River Bund in Malkangiri district, Piplapanka Dam in Ganjam district, and several others. The Chief Secretary provided necessary directives and advice following the review.
The meeting also covered national highway projects under the Works Department, including the ongoing construction of the Kuakhia-Mangalpur (Jajpur) section, Baliguda-Mulakani road, Titlagarh city bypass, widening and strengthening of the long road from Koksara to Nabarangpur, Rairangpur city bypass, Dharmagad (Kalahandi) bypass, widening and strengthening of the long road in the Daringbadi Ghat area, and expansion and strengthening of the national highway connecting Mohana-Raipanka-Tandikona. Principal Secretary of the Works Department Sanjay Kumar Singh presented details on land acquisition, compensatory afforestation, compensation payments, and resolutions to related issues, leading to discussions on accelerating progress.
The Chief Secretary praised the cooperation extended by the concerned District Collectors in the implementation of these critical infrastructure projects to date. She advised continuing these efforts, resolving any remaining issues within timelines, and speeding up the project work.
Additionally, projects being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Odisha were discussed, including the 17 km Bamra-Godibandh road, progress on the Cuttack-Kandarpur road, various sections of the Capital Region Ring Road, land acquisition compensation, and solutions to other pending issues.
