Four new urban infrastructure projects estimated around Rs 1,289 lakh were accorded in principle sanction under Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (OUIDF) in the Board of Trustees meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Wednesday.
Padhi directed the officials of the Trust and the Housing and Urban Development department to assess the outcomes of the completed projects from the perspectives of service delivery and revenue generation. The Chief Secretary further directed the OUIDF to explore multiple sources of funding for sustainability of the support to urban local bodies.
The new projects sanctioned included toilet on wheels in Bhubaneswar estimated at Rs 56.20 lakh. The project would be set up in three heritage sites.
Reclamation of water bodies at Hinjilicut estimated at Rs 540.25 lakh and at Titilagarh estimated Rs 541.33 crore and a compost plant in temporary transfer station at Gadakana of Bhubaneswar estimated at Rs 152 lakh were other 3 projects sanctioned in the meeting. The primary objectives of the reclamation projects were conservation and sustainable management of the water bodies. Besides, the projects would also focus on restoration and development of lake’s periphery for better eco-system, aesthetics and environment building, including tourist attraction.
Special Secretary Housing and Urban Development Prem Kumar Jha while presenting the updates mentioned that as per orders of the Chief Secretary in last meeting, the credit ranking of 9 AMRUT cities have been completed. A project wise review system has been institutionalized in the Housing and Urban Development department for fast tracking the implementation. A daily monitoring system of the projects through WhatsApp involving all stakeholders has also been introduced. Regular field checks are being conducted for effective monitoring. These measures have given a boost to the projects under implementation. The meeting also reviewed the progress of major projects in different urban local bodies (UlBs). The progress of setting up 56 vending zones in Cuttack ; augmentation of water supply to Goplapur Municipality; fish markets at two locations in Sambalpur, modern abattoir at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar, bulk water supply scheme to cater to the need of IIT, NISER, Infocity, Jatani and Khurdha ; improvement of water supply to grater Brahmapur; sewerage system at Rourkela east and west; slum rehabilitation project at Sudhipur, Satyanagar and Gadakana of Bhubaneswar; a sewerage system at Sambalpur; reclamation of 14 water bodies in Bhubaneswar, seven water bodies in Sambalpur; three water bodies in Brahmapur; energy efficient street lighting project in five Municipal Corporations and regional solid waste processing facility and land fill for twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were reviewed.