As per the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and 5T Secretary VK Pandian along with other senior officials on Saturday visited Kalahandi district to review the preparations for a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The team also reviewed the progress of various developmental projects in the district with focus on healthcare, irrigation and education.
After landing at the Utkela airstrip, they reviewed the developmental works of the airstrip. Sources said commercial operation of flights from Bhawanipatna to Bhubaneswar and Raipur are expected to start soon.
Later, the team visited the construction site of a new medical college and 650-bed teaching hospital at Bhawanipatna. The medical college is targeted to be completed by December 2021.
The district Collector briefed the team regarding the Covid-19 situation and the preparations for a third wave.
Besides, the 5T Secretary reviewed projects like Kesinga-Balangir 220-KV line, impact of the newly-inaugurated mega irrigation project on Indravati river, Sandul irrigation project in M Rampur and other mega lift irrigation projects and the new bus-stand project at Bhawanipatna.