Amid tight security and in a “controversial” helicopter trip, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation-stones and inaugurated at least six developmental projects here in Cuttack city on Wednesday.
Prior to his helicopter landing in the “Protected” zone of the historic Barabati Fort, Patnaik in the morning had inaugurated a bridge over River Mahanadi in neighbouring Banki sub-division. Flying helicopter over the protected monument is a violation under Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1904 and also under the Orissa Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1956, said environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty. “Since the field on which the Chief Minister’s helicopter landed, comes under the protected area of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the central agency is authorised to prosecute the violator and impose penalty as per the Act,” Mohanty added.
The helicopter trip of Patnaik to cover a distance of only 20 km from Bhubaneswar also came under strong criticism from his political opponents as well. It is believed that for the fear of recent egg attacks on Patnaik and to some of his cabinet colleagues forced the Chief Minister to take the aerial route.
Patnaik laid two foundation stones and inaugurated one medical facility at the cancer and paediatric hospitals here. He also inaugurated three other facilities for students at an engineering school and a university here on the day.