While inaugurating a Rs 3.28-crore cotton ginning & pressing mill and a bus terminal at Diigapahandi, Ganjam, on Thursday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said his Government is giving more emphasis on development of small towns.
"We are working to improve the livelihoods of the people in small towns and the development of various civic facilities with focus on roads, drainage and drinking water facilities,” he said.
State Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro said these two projects would play an important role in the overall development of Digapahandi. State 5T Secretary VK Pandian moderated the programme.
Notably, in the Digapahandi area, the cotton cultivation has spread from 500 hectares to 5,000 hectares and the production has increased from 6 quintals to 44 quintals. The cotton ginning mill could create a huge market for farmers in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.