Bhubaneswar, 24/2: As per direction of Chief Minister Sh Naveen Patnaik, Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha Sh Kartik Pandian visited Bhadrak District, today.
Sh Kartik Pandian travelled by road for about 50 km, including on bike, all along the Baitarani left embankment. He reviewed the progress of *Baitarani Left Embankment Strengthening and Road Development Project* at a total cost of Rs. 150.24 Crs.* This was a project which has been taken up based on feedback from people during the last visit to Dhamnagar in December 2023.
The embankment strengthening project will reduce the impact of floods in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Chandbali area during flood situations in river Baitarani. The Pucca Road from Biridi to Tintar Ghat over the river embankment will reduce the travel time by 2 hours between Biridi to Tintar Ghat, provide faster access to Jajpur Medical College and also to NH 16. The project would benefit approximately 1,20,00 people in Bhadrak.
He also reviewed the progress of *Akhuapada and Kochila Instream Storage Structures* over river Baitarani at a total cost of Rs. 681 Crs. Both the projects would provide irrigation facilities to an ayacut area of 81,200 Acres. Water would also be available in the Rabi season for cultivation. It would also help in fishery sector development in the area.
The above projects have been sanctioned and taken up based on peoples grievances and demands to Sh Pandian during his visit to Bhadrak in last June.
All along the route large number of people gathered and welcomed Sh Kartik Pandian. They appreciated the pro-people approach and traveling for a long distance by bike and checking the ground situation personally.
He participated in *public meetings* at Akhuapada Field and IGM College Field in Dhamnagar.
During his interaction with the public, he informed about the major decisions taken by Hon’ble Chief Minister like increase in social security pensions across all categories by Rs. 500 each that would benefit around 58 Lakhs beneficiaries.
He also informed that financial assistance under *MAMATA Yojana* has been increased from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000. This will further benefit women and infants towards improved nutrition and better health outcomes.
For the benefit of under graduate and post graduate students studying in State universities, Govt and non-govt. aided colleges including Sanskrit Colleges and unaided colleges under Higer Education dept, he informed the *novel initiative* of Hon’ble Chief Minister in providing *Nua-O Scholarships* under which Male students will get Rs 9,000, while the Female Students will get Rs 10,000 per annum; The students belonging to eligible SC/ST and Nirman Shramik Families will get Rs 10,000 ( Male) and Rs 11,000 (Female) per annum. The scholarships for the current academic year will be deposited in the bank accounts of the eligible students from Feb 26th onwards.
He informed about the rolling out of bus service under *LaCCMI Scheme* in every Gram Panchayat of Bhadrak district in which the bus fare for female passengers and students will be Rs 5/- only.
Sh Pandian during his interaction with the public at received the grievances on various issues and assured them an early resolution.