Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Friday gave its green signal for a green belt along the banks of major rivers like the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani and Rushikulya to rejuvenate the rivers.
After the Cabinet meeting, held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi informed the media that a plantation work will also be taken up along both sides of Baitarani, Brahmani and Rushikulya rivers and their tributaries and distributaries for 2019-20.
The leftover area of Mahanadi, Tel and Ib will also be taken up in 2019-20. During the period from 2018-19 to 2022-23 it is proposed to cover 41300 ha and 1041 RKM Avenue plantation out of which 10000 ha, will be used under AR plantaion, 30000 ha Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), 1300 ha Bamboo plantation, he added.
Padhi further informed that the total outlay of the new scheme has been estimated at Rs 448 crore. Out of the projected requirement, Rs 415 crore is meant for plantation activities and Rs 33 crore for non-plantation activities, the statement said.
At the state level, the progress of implementation of the green mission will be monitored by a 12-member committee headed by the chief secretary. Similarly, regular monitoring will be taken up at district and block levels.
The cabinet also approved retrofitting of existing conventional street lights with LED lights across all ULBs will be made through Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL) that is a Government of India Enterprise.
This apart, the Odisha Cabinet approved Tata Projects Limited’s bid to construct the 100-seated Medical College at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district on Turnkey Basis. The work will be completed in two years of time without any price escalation.
Similarly, the state Cabinet also approved the significant proposal with regard to the tender works for ‘Construction of Multi Utility Complex and PG Students’ Hostel at Sardar Vallav Bhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (SVPPGIP), Sishu Bhawan, Cuttack on Turnkey Basis’.
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Ms Kalinga