Balangir: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday alleged that Balangir district was neglected by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government which ruled the state for 24 years.
Addressing a press meet during his two-day visit to Balangir, the Chief Minister said there was no dearth of leadership, but no developmental work was undertaken.
Stating that the new government has initiated welfare projects worth Rs 890 crore in Balangir, he said these will go a long way in ensuring ‘vikas’ of the district. Work will begin on Tusura airstrip and Khurda-Balangir railway project will also be completed soon, the CM said.
Majhi said the district would be given the topmost priority under his government. “Balangir experiences drought-like situation as it receives less rainfall. Though projects were announced to tide over the crisis, no concrete step was taken for proper implementation. Our government is taking steps to provide proper irrigation facilities, check dams, deep borewells, piped drinking water and better road and health infrastructure,” the CM said.
Noting that construction of the Rs 300 crore Upper Lanth Irrigation Project was the main motive behind his Balangir visit, Majhi said apart from the foundation stone laying, he has stressed timely completion of the project. This project will irrigate over 15,000 acre of land in both kharif and rabi seasons benefiting 38,000 farmers from 25 villages in Belpada block. A hydropower project is also being planned on the 2495-m dam across Lanth river for generating 210 kw electricity, he said.