CM launches Janibili project worth Rs 431cr

Berhampur: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated Sunday the much-awaited Janibili Mega Project, the first integrated water supply system in Berhampur Mega built at a whopping cost of Rs 431 crore.

The project comes as a relief to the Southern Odisha’s prime commercial city which has been battling with drinking water woes since many years.

The project, first phase of which was launched Sunday , will benefit more than 5,00,000 people in both rural and urban areas of Ganjam district through better access to drinking water.

Apart from Berhampur, the project would cater to the water needs of 53 villages in 16 gram panchayats between Janibili and Berhampur. It is estimated that the project would supply 300 lakh litres of water on a daily basis through a pipeline network of 232 kilometres.

A massive water reservoir has been built at Dharakote block’s Janibili. Water from this reservoir will be treated at a purification plant in Jagadalpur in Kukudahandi block and supplied to Berhampur city.

Naveen also launched the ‘Smart Park’ programme under which open spaces (parks) would be developed with an array of amenities in urban areas of Odisha. As a part of ‘Unnati’ yojana parks would be developed in 114 municipal areas in next 6 months.

Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore, the 200 upcoming Smart Parks will have separate children area, safe drinking water, separate toilets for men and women, LED lights and well marked and sufficient seating arrangements.

Naveen also earmarked Rs 200 crore under ‘Unnati’ programme, for building and modernising crematoriums in 114 municipal areas across the State. Development of new cremation sites and renovation of the existing ones with changing rooms, toilets, drinking water facility and devotional music halls have been planned.

In a major announcement the Chief Minister today gave a nod for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission for all employees of urban local bodies across the State.

PNN