Various problems relating to transfer of land from the NCC to the Brahmapur stadium, establishment of ports across the Odisha coast and handover of land to the Rasgobindpur Airstrip were resolved at a meeting between Chief Secretary AP Padhi and Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar held here on Saturday.
During the discussion, State Commerce and Transport Secretary Sanjay Tastogi stated that the State Government has decided to expedite process for establishment of proposed ports at Bichitrapur, Subarnarekha, Bahabalpur, Chandipur, Inchudi and Chudamani, all to the north of Dhamra port, while agreements have already been signed between the State Government and private companies for ports at Astaranga and Subarnarekha. If the hurdles related to Defence programmes are resolved, the Governent would expedite process for ports at Bahabalpur and Chudamani along with Astaranga and Subarnarekha ports.
In response, Kumar said the Defence Ministry and the State Government would take make joint efforts to ensure that DRDO and ITR programmes and construction of ports go in a parallel manner without any hurdle.
Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Vishal Dev apprised that the State Government had given 9.5 acres of land to the NCC, Brahampur. Now, 6 acres is required for development of the city stadium.
“The State Government would provide equivalent area of land to the NCC at an appropriate place and Rs 2.28 crore for the four buildings constructed on it. Besides, the Government would also provide `60,000 per month towards rent for two years till quarters are built,” Dev proposed.
To this, Kumar asked his subordinates to take steps for early transfer of the land for development of the stadium.
On the other hand, Padhi assured the Defece Secretary that the State Governent would soon provide 144 acres of land for development of the Rasgobindpur Airstrip in Mayurbhanh. Soon, Kumar directed the Airforce officials to restrict all developmental and expansion work within the 144 acre area.
Defence Additional Secretary JRK Rao, Air Commodore N Muniratnam and Civil Aviation Director Pradeep Kumar Das and Army and Airforce senior officers were present.