The Forest Department and the district administration here successfully launched a mega programme, ‘Mission Green Mahanadi’ on Monday in the Mahanadi Ring Road for a clean and green river.
The interest of the common people was worth seeing since they came forward spontaneously for the success of the programme.
Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan, MlA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi, MlA Er Rohir Pujari, Collector Samarth Verma, DFO Dr Sanjeet Kumar and all other line officials of the district were present in the programme since it was a mega event of the month and everyone wants to see a clean ring road in the shape of that of the marine drive of Mumbai.
Different NGOs, socio cultural organisations, social workers and also charitable groups were seen active in the plantation programme with great deal of enthusiasm since the ring road on Mahanadi was virtually turned to be a hell due to open defecation and misuse by locals. “But this road is sure to bear a new look from today,” said Collector Verma.
Plants of different varieties including decorative and ornamental ones were planted to make it attractive and turn it to be a virtually oxygen centre for the city and suburbs. More so, it will also add to the beauty of the city and the river Mahanadi, informed Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bimalendu Ray.
The corporation also organised cultural programmes, drawing and paintings, Rangoli throughout the ring road to create public awareness, he added. A human chain was also organised for massive awareness of people of all walks of life.