The Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik asked officials to document the entire process related to the preparation and conduct of the festival as it would help in future reference and enable them to take corrective measures.
Having failed to meet its deadline for completion of various infrastructure projects before the Nabakalebara festival at Puri despite having started preparations for the same since three years, the Odisha government on Thursday set fresh deadlines for the unfinished works.
Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting on Thursday and appreciated the officers, police and other agencies for the successful completion of the festival. He thanked the people of Puri as well as the NGO’s for their cooperation and assistance.
Perhaps sensing that the Opposition would dig in to the huge amount of money spent on infrastructure projects, the CM went on the take note of the unfinished projects and set fresh timeline for each one of them. Projects such as national highway construction, Sakshigopal underpass and railway over bridge were discussed at the meeting attended by secretaries of almost every department.
The drainage and sewerage systems of Puri town were taken up at the review meeting and completion of work was to be given priority.
He also suggested that the infrastructure created for the bus terminus at Malatipatpur on the outskirts of Puri should be put to good use. He said the OSRTC needs to use it, besides a food park and craft village, which can come up at the place.
Tourism department officers also listed out the success of the Nabakalebara campaign and that of the website launched prior to the festival.
Prasanta Patnaik