Cabinet Approves 12 Proposals, Metro Rail Gets Nod

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved 12 proposals. The proposal related to a ring road in Berhampur has been approved at the State Cabinet meeting. Apart from this, the proposal to build a barrage in Rushikulya river near Janibilli village has received Cabinet approval. The Cabinet has approved the Energy Department’s proposal to implement an innovative scheme for urban electricity service.The Cabinet has also approved the Ama Hospital scheme and Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Phase-1 DPR, as per reports. Keeping the motto of “Every Life is Precious” as the guiding principle, AMA Hospital – A transformation initiative under 5T is State funded and envisages ensuring patient friendly health care services with dignity for everyone who visits public health facilities. A sum of Rs 3388.73 crore has been provisioned for five years from 2023-24 to 2027- 28 for the Scheme. This initiative will be implemented across all facilities (1858) in the State (DHH, SDH, CHC / UCHC PHC /UPHC level) in a phased manner during a period of five years. In the first year, 149 public health facilities are being strengthened. Under this initiative, the State Government is making all efforts to transform all Public Health Facilities at DHH, SDH, CHC and PHC level in a phased manner to be oriented towards patient comfort and care. Increased allocation of resources is made to address the critical gaps related to HR & Infrastructure. This initiative is part of State Government’s 5T charter to transform and strengthen the public health facilities across state. “Ama Hospital” aims at strengthening public health infrastructure for promoting improved standards of care and wellbeing of the patient, improved basic amenities required for patients and their attendants, creating a conducive environment for bringing positive patient experience. The Cabinet approved the construction of Berhampur Ring Road through EPC mode of contract and barrage across Rushikulya river near Janivilli under Dharakote block in Ganjam district. This road project is expected to boost development in Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur town and to ease out traffic in Berhampur town. The Cabinet approved the lowest EPC tender of Ashribad Eng. & Constructions Pvt. Ltd. in JV with M/S R.K. Infracorp Pvt. Ltd amounting to Rs.156,51,57,750 only for the execution of the work. The work is targeted to be completed within two years. The Cabinet also gave consent for the construction of barrage across river Rushikulya including Hydro-Mechanical works, power connectivity works, road connectivity, staff quarters, including survey, investigation, planning, design and estimate of all components with operation and maintenance of the project for a period of five years or five flood seasons whichever is more after successful commissioning of the project. The Cabinet approved the tender for the work for an execution cost amounting to Rs.86,54,00,000 only excluding GST and O&M cost for five years amounting to Rs.1,00,00,000. The work is planned to be completed in two years. The project will provide irrigation 52,675 hactares land in Ganjam district. Besides, the project will provide drinking water facility of 67.5 million litre per day (MLD) to the people of Berhampur Municipal Corporation. It will also be utilized for fishery development spread over 32 hactares. The project will also enhance the ecological balance of the region and replenish the ground water level. The Cabinet approved the proposal for construction of Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Phase-I and decided that it will be constructed by Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRCL) at an estimated cost of Rs 5929.38 crore. The estimated cost includes taxes and the fee of DMRCL as the Turnkey Consultant. The fee of DMRCL has been fixed at Rs 326.56 crore which includes taxes, said an official press release. The 1st phase of the project is targeted for completion in 4 years. Length of the project from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia Square is 26 Km. There will be 20 Metro stations including at Capital Hospital, Rajmahal Square, Vani Vihar Square, Jaydev Vihar Square & Patia Square. The Metro rail tracks and stations will be on elevated viaducts and ultra-modern coaches will be deployed. Advanced Ticketing system & Signaling System will be adopted for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project. It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sanctioned augmenting infrastructure with Metro Rail Project for Bhubaneswar Capital Region under 5T initiative covering the route from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia Square in the first phase on 1st April 2023. The need for Metro Rail System was envisaged in order to facilitate comfortable, safer and convenient transportation for the public in Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Cuttack and Puri region. The Cabinet also approved a proposal of additional financial requirement of Rs. 469.39 Crs in respect of the scheme State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) under CMPDP to be implemented by OPTCL by FY 2024-25 for expansion of existing transmission & distribution infrastructure in the State Capital region. In order to meet the increasing power demand and to ensure quality and reliable power supply to the consumers, the Cabinet had approved the scheme SCRIPS in 2015-16 with an approved outlay of Rs. 1492.07 Crs. The scope of work under the scheme includes the construction of Grid and primary substation with GIS technology, laying of UG Cabling and other state-of-the-art features such as SCADA, Smart Grid etc. At present, some of the projects under the scheme have been completed and some are under implementation. However, in line with the current power demand scenario of the capital region, the scope of the scheme has been changed with descoping/ addition of some of the projects which have led to the revision of the estimated project cost to Rs 1961.46 crs with an additional financial requirement of Rs. 469.39 crore. Further inclusion of additional projects has necessitated an extension of the project implementation period till FY 2024-25. The projects under SCRIPS will be executed under the umbrella scheme Chief Minister’s Power Development Programme (CMPDP) meant for the development of the power infrastructure of the State. The projects will not only meet the power demand of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and its adjoining localities but also will facilitate the growth of IT & ITeS and other power-intensive industries in the region making it a global hub for trade and commerce.

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