Pradhan launches 47 projects worth Rs 194 crore for Sambalpur

Sambalpur: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a total of 47 developmental projects worth nearly Rs 194 crore during a programme held on Mini Stadium premises in Naktideul block of Sambalpur district.

The projects — among which 16 were inaugurated — are aimed at accelerating the overall development of Naktideul, Rairakhol and Jujumura regions with major focus on healthcare, tourism, sports infrastructure, drinking water, agriculture and rural connectivity.

Among the key projects are an eco-tourism project at Bhima Mandali worth Rs 8.5 crore, for which the foundation stone was laid. A new community health centre (CHC) at Naktideul worth Rs 16.5 crore was also launched.

Highlighting the significance of Bhima Mandali, Pradhan said the area bears “evidence of a human civilisation dating back nearly 10,000 to 20,000 years and would be developed with modern tourist amenities”.

The Union minister added the new CHC would provide improved healthcare facilities to nearly 15,000 families in Naktideul region. He also announced that a new mini stadium would be constructed at Naktideul at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore to encourage and nurture sporting talents.

Stating that Naktideul is predominantly an agrarian region, Pradhan said it has been included under the Centre’s Aspirational Block Programme. Both the central and state govts are committed to ensuring social and economic development in the region, Pradhan said, adding priority is being given to small irrigation projects and check dams to address water scarcity issues.

Pradhan also requested Odisha rural development and panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik to ensure drinking water supply reaches villages in Naktideul and Rairakhol by 2027.

He instructed the administration to arrange CSR funding support for a scheme to distribute 100 cows to promote dairy farming in the area.

He also urged people to work towards taking Sambalpur district from second position to the top rank in Odisha in the education sector, saying Odisha’s development in education, healthcare and economy would contribute significantly towards building a developed India by 2047.