The State Government on Wednesday urged the Union Government to execute relaxed population norms for construction of PMGSY roads in all Maoist-affected districts of the State.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi presented this demand before the Union Coordination Secretary Asha Ram Sihag while holding discussions on various projects with him through a videoconferencing from the State Secretariat.
Notably, PMGSY roads can be constructed in any Maoist-hit area having minimum of 250 populations as per Union Government norms.
While this relaxed norm is applicable in Malkangiri and Koraput districts, the Chief Secretary urged Sihag to make the norm applicable for Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Subarnapur in view of Maoist operations being reported in these districts.
Padhi argued that Maoists would gradually spread their network if road communications are not strengthened in these districts.
Speaking on Paradip-Haridaspur railway project, the Chief Secretary stressed on its completion by March 2018.
While the State Government has provided land and share for this project on time, the Railways have already delayed in competing the project by December 16, as targeted earlier.
Padhi too made a strong argument in favour of State’s demand for direct international flight operation from Bhubaneswar to Dubai. “Once a direct flight operates between Bhubaneswar and Dubai, the State would have easy communications to western Europe and the USA. It will help in promotion of tourism and development in transportation and industrialisation,” said Padhi.
Other issues discussed include construction of railway godown at Junagarh and in all districts, bypass at Khordha Red Juntion, expansion of city airport runway and sanction of more funds under the MGNREGS. The Chief Secretary requsted Sihag to provide required approval for Gandhamardan, Daitari, Kurmitra and Mahaparbat mines for the Odisha Mines Corporation.
A total of 13 issues pertaining to nine Ministeiries were discussed.
Among others, Forests and Environrment Principal Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Industries Principal Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, Residential Commissioner Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, Rural Development Secretary Bishnupada Sethi, Panchayati Raj Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, OMC MD Vineel Krishna were present.