The State Government on Wednesday announced to run buses in 31 more blocks under the Biju Gaon Gadi yojana soon. A decision to this effect was taken at a performance meeting relating to the Commerce and Transportation Ministry held under chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.It was revealed that Bijua Gaon Gadis are current running in 118 ITDA blocks and people of those areas have been benefitting. Out of 3216 gram panchayats, where road communications are available, transportation services would be provided to 506 gram panchayats.
Besides, the Chief Minister asked the department to hold awareness camps on road safety in colleges and provide driving licences to willing students after required tests. Patnaik also directed the department to expedite construction work of Heavy Vehicle Driving Training Centres at Keonjhar and Brahmapur and provide skill-based jobs to youths in those centres.
The Chief Minister expressed unhappiness over tardy progress in the Khordha-Balangir rail line for which the State Government has provided land free of cost and has announced to bear 50 per cent of project cost. He asked concerned officials to remain in regular contact with the Railways for completion of the project. Among others, Commerce and Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Chief Secretary GC Pati and Development Commissioner UN Behera were present.
