The Eighth Battalion Habildar-Siphai Sangh celebrated its annual function at Chatrapur for two days on Friday and Saturday.
On the occasion, the Sangha honoured State Planning Board Member Rama Chandra Panda with a memento for his unflagging effort in establishing the 8th Battalion in 2003 along the NH-16 between Ganjam and Chatrapur NAC towns.
About 900 people are residing in the battalion complex. The battalion residents have demanded introduction of a town bus between Brahmapur and Ganjam, supply of drinking water facilities and connectivity between the old and new State High way roads.
Commandant Udaya Kumar Rath said Panda, during his stint as Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, had mounted pressure on the then Government and succeeded in establishing the battalion.
Among others, Ganjam district Collector Bijay Amruta Kulange, Zilla Parishad Chairman Subash Chandra Behera, Chatrapur block Chairman Dhanjaya Reddy, Odisha Police Mahasangh president Santosh Kumar Satapathy were present. This is the first incidence where military officers honoured a civilian, according to many.