Protest demonstration in Berhampur after Rail Budget

BERHAMPUR: The Railway Budget 2010-11 has clearly left the people of Berhampur disappointed. So much so that immediately after the presentation of the Railway Budget various political parties and organizations of Berhampur held protest demonstrations outside the Berhampur railway station. The disgruntled protesters also staged 'rail roko' soon after the budget was presented. The protesters claimed that, "there is nothing in the rail budget for Berhampur, Ganjam and the southern part of the state". All political parties, including the Congress have criticized the continued negligence for Berhampur in the railway budget. The BJP workers stopped trains and sat on the railway tracks at Berhampur to vent their anger against the lackluster railway budget for Berhampur and Southern Odisha. The former Union Minister and senior congress leader Chandrasekhar Sahu has also openly criticized the Railway Budget for not taking up the long pending issues of Berhampur. But, the major protest march was taken by the Ganjam Zilla Vikash Manch and they decried the Union Railway Budget for not announcing any new projects for Berhampur and for ignoring the demand for new railway division and coaching terminal complex at Berhampur.

Photo: The Hindu

Railway Budget shows no ‘mamata’ for Berhampur or South Orissa

• Coaching Terminal Complex denied to Berhampur
• Berhampur-Phulbani, Gunupur-Therubali &  Nowrangpur-Jeypore railway lines socially desirable but final sanction has to come from Planning Commission
• Multi Functional Complexes for Berhampur and Rayagada railway stations
• General Speciality Hospital at Berhampur
• Port connectivity for Gopalpur proposed under PPP route
• South Orissa will have to wait for a railway division
• BBSR-Koraput Hirakhand Express extended upto Jagadalpur (Good news for Jayapur)
• Gunupur-Naupada local to start after Gauze conversion
• Extension Orissa Sampark Kranti upto Berhampur overlooked
• Demand for Berhampur-Rourkela and Berhampur-Koraput trains ignored
• Frequency of Puri-Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam-Amrisar trains has not been increased
• Wagon Manufacturing factory announced for Orissa but state Govt will decide the location

RP Tripathy

The Railway Budget 2010-11 is high on promises with no clarity on budgetary provisions. Orissa has benefited by default on some counts, being the neighbouring state of the Railway Minister. The East-Coast dedicated corridor and the Wagon Manufacturing factory under PPP route sanctioned for the state could be termed as two most significant announcements for the state. But, unfortunately the Railway Budget has not given the much needed attention to South Orissa and KBK regions. The biggest blow has been in the front of the much needed introduction of new trains. Except for two Bharat Tirtha Express trains and the Howarh-Puducherry weekly express no other train will benefit the southern region of the state. The Bhubaneswar-Koraput Hirakhand Express has been extended upto Jagadalpur, but the demands for Berhampur-Koraput, Berhampur-Rourkela, Berhampur-Surat trains have been ignored. The frequency of Samata Express has been increased but the demand for raising the frequency of the Visakhapatnam-Amritsar Hirakund and Puri-Ahmedabad Express trains has been overlooked. The Gunupur- Naupada Passenger train announced in the Budget won’t help the people much as they have been demanding for a Gunupur-Berhampur-Puri train. The demand for extension of Orissa Sampark Kranti train upto Berhampur has also been bypassed. Though the Berhampur-Phulbani, Gunupur-Therubali and Nowrangpur-Jeypore railway lines have been included under the socially desirable railway projects but the final sanction of these lines will be subject to clearance from the Planning Commission. So, it will be premature to say that these lines have been sanctioned in the Rail Budget. The Railway Budget does talk about Port connectivity for Gopalpur under PPP route, but it ignores the proposals for Gopalpur-Talcher and Gopalpur-Rayagada lines even though the former has a favourable RoR in excess of 15%. Berhampur and Rayagada stations have been sanctioned Multi Functional Complexes and a General Speciality Hospital has been sanctioned for Berhampur station which is a welcome step but the much needed Coaching Terminal Complex at Berhampur railway station, modernization of Berhampur railway station and creation of a new Railway Division for South Orissa are missing from the proposals. The decision regarding the Wagon Manufacturing factory has been left to the state government and going by the persistent demands from southern Orissa and KBK for a railway manufacturing unit for last many years, its establishment in this backward region would be of great significance. On the whole, the Railway Budget has nothing significant for Berhampur and the southern region of the state, but, it is certainly better than the Railway Budget of the previous year which had completely forgotten Berhampur and South Orissa.

Berhampur city should be brought under the JNNURM scheme

RP Tripathy

Greater Berhampur region (the area under Berhampur Development Authority + Hinjilicut) has a population of around 7 lakhs at present. Infact, the City Development Plan (http://www.urbanorissa.gov.in/) prepared by ASCI, Hyderabad and ToR for the Comprehensive Master Plan by TCPO of the Ministry of Urban Development take the base population of the city to be more than 5 lakhs as of 2001 and spread over a geographical area of more than 300 sq kms. But, the Census figures pertaining to the population of Berhampur city do not reflect the actual number as the settlements on the margins of the city and the nearby urban pockets are kept out of this estimate and their population numbers taken separately. This is neither helping the city and nor the peripheral settlements which remain fund starved with most of the futuristic infrastructure projects in limbo. As another Census approaches, it is still not clear if this anomaly will be corrected this time around and Greater Berhampur region will be treated as one single entity for the purpose of population census. From, the point of view of development this has got great significance. To under-estimate the number of people living in the city is just like scoring self goals and denying the city its rightful due in terms of developmental assistance. As most of the Central Schemes on Urban Development take the city population as one of the parameters in the devolution of developmental grants, correct population figures of the entire city region area becomes a necessity to avail the grants under various centrally sponsored schems. Population estimates of the greater Berhampur region will not only ensure its inclusion under JNNURM but will ensure the development of the only major urban growth centre in the southern region of the state.

Berhampur Municipal Corporation on anti-encroachment drive

BERHAMPUR: Finally the Berhampur Municipal Corporation has woken up to the chaotic traffic condition prevailing in the city that has gone from bad to worse in the recent months. The Municipal Corporation has now taken upon itself the task of bulldozing the illegal constructions on all major roads of the city in the presence of city Mayor and Commissioner. The people of the Silk City can heave a shy of relief as all political parties are in favour of removing illegal constructions in the city and the drive so far has not faced any resistance except from some local vendors. The Municipal Corporation is planning exclusive vending zones to rehabilitate the displaced petty traders and vendors. The anti-encroachment drive is to be followed by widening of the major roads and constructing a 4-lane road from Auto Nagar to Giri Road. Three new fly-overs are also being planned and work has commenced on the Auto Nagar flyover recently. Efforts have also been initiated to remove encroachments that have started to intrude the campus of the MKCG Medical College and Hospital campus. The drive against illegal constructions will be carried out in Tata-Benz, Courtpeta, Aska Road and Barracks areas in the coming days, claim Corporation officials.
Oriya daily Dharitri has more on this story: http://www.dharitri.com/190210/story4.asp
Source: Dharitri, The Hindu, The Pioneer

Dolphin population in Chilika lake on the rise

BERHAMPUR: The population of Irrawaddy dolphins is on the rise in the Chilika Lake. A recent survey recorded the presence of 12 more dolphins in comparison with the 2008 figure, said an official. During the survey, 158 dolphins were counted, out of which 129 were adults and 29 juveniles, including neonates. Out of them, 86 were counted in the outer channel and 72 in the central and the southern sectors of the lake. Last year, 146 dolphins were counted in the lake, out of which 76 were recorded from the outer channel and 70 from the lake proper. An annual population estimation of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) of the lake is carried out during the month of February by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in cooperation with the State Wildlife Wing and volunteers and experts from various institutions. The census is being carried out since 2003 to monitor the status and population dynamics of dolphin in the lake.

For the population estimation, the standard sighting method followed world over for estimation of aquatic mammals was adopted. A simultaneous survey along 20 transects by as many survey teams by using 20 boats was carried out. A total of 82 surveyors took part in the census. For precision, the track routes were predetermined through computer programming and the track points were preloaded into the handheld GPS. An observer can have surveillance of 200m in naked eye and binoculars shall be used beyond 200m distance. Each team comprising four members, three observers and a recorder, is to record the observation. On February 16, the briefing and necessary input to all the participants were done simultaneously at the Wetland Research Centre, Chandraput, as well as at Satapada. The following day, the actual census was undertaken. Dolphin, being at the top of the food chain, is a good indicator of the health of the lake ecosystem. The rise in the population of Irrawaddy dolphins is, thus, a healthy sign for the Chilika Lake, said an expert. In the northern sector, the population was recorded to be only two last year, while as per the current survey it was six.

Source: The Pioneer

Berhampur Institution: Army Air Defence College

Army Air Defence College, a prestigious trg institution of Army Air Defence is located in the lap of nature aside the majestic Bay of Bengal on the Eastern Sea Coast of India. The green an the pristine coastal landscape of the college is dotted with thousands of Cashew, Casuarina, Kewra, Kathal, Mango and Coconut trees giving it a delightfully unique environment. The sprawling complex of the college, spread over more than 2700 acres of land, is brimming with state of the art training infrastructure and facilities belonging to the contemporary technologies, ably managed by a dedicated and possessed team of Instructors. In addition to Army, personnels of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and students from friendly foreign defence forces also undergo various courses at Army Air Defence College. The role of Army Air Defence College is to function as a "Centre of Excellence" on all matters concerning Army Air Defence. The Army Air Defence College has an illustrious history dating back to pre independence era, when School of Artillery was located at Quetta and Anti Aircraft Wing was located at Karachi. When India gained Independence School of Artillery a nd Anti Aircraft Wing moved to Deolali. The Anti Aircraft Wing was renamed Air Defence Wing and placed under School of Artillery. In 1955 a case was taken up to relocate Air Defence Wing due to lack of adequate ranges for gun and missile firing. In 1963 Government of Orissa offered 3000 acres of land at Gopalpur-On–Sea along with seaward firing range, which was accepted in 1968. In 1979, Government of India sanctioned the establishment of Air defence and Guided Missile School and Centre at Gopalpur –On – Sea. Gopalpur Cantonment was inaugurated by late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi on 30 October 1984. On 01 November 1989 Air Defence and Guided Missile School moved to Gopalpur-On-Sea. Air Defence and Guided Missile School was redesignated as Army Air Defence College in November 1998. In 2008 Army Air Defence Centre also joined Air Defence College at Gopalpur Military Station.

Source: ttp://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2PLT_AloneLM3C.aspx?MnId=B7pkY3+jVso=&ParentID=PFdko/KKLM4=

Need for a 2nd Tech Varsity in Orissa at Berhampur

By Abhisek Mishra

Over the last decade the number of engineering, medical and other professional education institutions has seen phenomenal growth with rapid urbanization and industrialization in Orissa. While more than 100 colleges under a General University is considered unmanageable, the state has more than 100 engineering and technical institutions under the BPUT, Rourkela. This calls for a second Technological University at Berhampur in the southern region of the State. The State of Andhra Pradesh has got two campuses of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) at Hyderabad and Kakinada. Orissa could follow the same pattern and have two campuses of the Technological University at Rourkela and Berhampur for better supervision and regulation of technical education in the state. The Berhampur campus will bridge the absence of a professional university in south Orissa and this will lead to development of technical education in the state as a whole. The fact that Berhampur city still doesn’t have a centrally funded higher education institute and the proposed IIIT being planned under PPP, a second campus of BPUT at Berhampur need to be considered. The present campus of BPUT at Rourkela is around 500-600 kms from the district headquarters in southern region of orissa. Further, there is no direct railway link and neither is there a proper highway. Under these circumstances a campus of the Technology University is justified at Berhampur. By now around 20 engineering colleges have come up in south Orissa itself and there are more than 30 Institutes for courses like Management, MCA, Pharmacy and Diploma. So, bringing all these Institutes under a Technological University will greatly help in the proliferation of Technical education in the southern part of Orissa.

Upcoming projects in Berhampur

BDA Housing Project: Vivek Vihar-II

Parala Maharaj Engineering College (PMEC), Berhampur

Source: http://tenders.indiamart.com/

Jayshree Chemicals (Ganjam) on expansion mode

BERHAMPUR: Jayshree Chemicals Limited, owned by the Karnataka-based SK Bangur Group, will invest around Rs 150 crore on expansion and modernisation of its caustic soda plant located near Ganjam town in south Orissa. The expansion programme is scheduled for commissioning by October 2010. The Company is planning to float a rights issue in the ratio 9:2 to raise funds to part finance the company's expansion project. A company spokesperson said the issue would be made available to the existing shareholders. Jayshree would issue 2,39,94,374 equity shares at a face value of Rs 10 each and at a premium of Rs five. The spokesperson said the company is in the process of doubling the capacity incorporating state-of-the-art membrane cell technology involving a cost of Rs 150 crore at its existing plant at Ganjam in Orissa.

Sources: Business Standard, Business Line & http://ganjam.ppcp.in/home.htm

Congress Memo to Railway Minister includes issues of Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The state Congress has demanded enhanced allocation for the ongoing railway projects and sanction of new lines to give a boost to the process of industrialization in Orissa. In a memorandum submitted to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, president of the Orissa Pradesh Congress Committe KP Singhdeo has demanded sanction of four railway line projects for which survey was completed several years back. Referring to the Bargarh-Nuapara rail link for which survey was completed in February 2003 with a favorable rate of return of 18.32 per cent, Singhdeo said that this will pass through Nuapada and Balangir districts in Western Orissa. Requesting the minister to sanction the project in 2010-11 budget, he said that this could also be used as an alternative route for transport of coal and other minerals. Survey report for the 245-km Talcher- Gopalpur rail link was submitted to the Ministry of Railways with a favourable rate of return. With Gopalpur port being developed into an all-weather port, connectivity between Talcher and Gopalpur by rail will ensure smooth flow of raw materials and finished products, he said. The survey for the Rupsa-Bangiriposhi line sanctioned in 2005-06 had already been completed. This link will serve as an alternative route besides providing access to states in the hinterland which do not have a port. The conversion of Nuapada-Gunupur line from meter gauge to broad gauge will be completed by March 2010. However, on its own this railway line project will barely provide any freight movement, Singhdeo said, adding that the extension from Gunupur to Theruvali will not only connect the hinterland of KBK districts but provide port connectivity to Gopalpur. He said that the project should be sanctioned in the 2010-11 budget as this will enable the alumina/aluminium industries located in the KBK districts to import and export via Gopalpur port. Separately mentioning about the 289-km Khura Road-Bolangir railway line project, Singhdeo said that allocation for this line should be increased and progress closely monitored to ensure timely completion. He said that though this project was sanctioned in 1994-95, the progress has been tardy. Detailed estimate for 36 km-112 km has already been submitted to the ministry for sanction. Singhdeo demanded that the section from Khurda Road up to 36 km should be commissioned by 2010-11. He also requested the minister to sanction Puri-Kanyakumari, Titlagarh- Bhubaneswar (via Rayagada, Vizianagaram, Berhampur), Hatia-Chennai/Bangalore (via Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur), Puri-Jammu Tawi, Sambalpur-Howrah (via Angul) trains and intercity express between Koraput and Visakhapatnam for Orissa. Thanking the Railway Minister for proper allocation of funds in the last railway budget, Mr. Singh Deo has pointed out that Orissa has only 2500 km of railway route length at an average of 15.3 km per 1000 km as against the national average of 19 km.

Coaching terminals

Congress Party has also reiterated the need for establishment of coaching terminals at Koraput and Berhampur.

Sources: New Indian Express and The Hindu

Berhampur heritage: College of Art & Crafts, Khallikote

RP Tripathy

College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote, near Berhampur city in Ganjam District, is one of the leading Visual Art Institutions in India and the oldest institute of its kind in the State. It was established on 25th October 1957 in the palatial building of the Raja Saheb of Khallikote and it celebrated its golden jubilee a couple of years ago. Situated on the bank of the famous natural lake “Chilika” and surrounded by lofty mountains, lush green forests and a natural spring “Nirmal Jhar” the College attracts art lovers from across the country. Khallikote was a princely state of pre-independent India and is famous for its worthy rulers who laid the foundations for higher education in southern Orissa with the establishment of historic Khallikote College, several Mardaraj High schools and the college of Art and Craft. Raja Ramchandra Mardaraj Deo of Khallikote played a major role in the formation of the modern state of Orissa on linguistic basis and he attended the Round Table Conference in London for this purpose along with Maharaja KC Gajapati of Parala. Infact, His palace at Rambha was the epicenter of the movement.

The glorious history of Khallikote and the contributions of its rulers for higher education and in state formation have gone unrecognized thus far. Infact, two of their significant contributions i.e., Khallikote College at Berhampur and College of Art and Craft at Khallikote have received scant attention from the State Government. While the Government is dilly-dallying on Unitary University status for Khallikote College, recently there is a demand for Autonomous College status for the College Art and Craft, Khallikote and to bring it under the proposed Khallikote Unitary University. Further, the college is yet to receive a special grant of Rs. 2 crores as announced by the Chief Minister to make it a centre of excellence. It is time when the State Government takes special care to protect this heritage Institution dedicated for Art and Craft by making it an Autonomous Institution.

Berhampur & South Odisha remain the forgotten frontier of Indian Railways'

To,
Ms Mamata Banerjee
Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways
Room No. # 239
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi-110001

Subject: Railway Budget should address the longstanding demands of Berhampur and Southern region of Odisha

Respected Madam,

Berhampur city and South Odisha have always remained the forgotten frontier of Indian Railways'. There is a long history of repeated injustice towards Berhampur city and southern region of Odisha in successive Union Railway Budgets. Especially, the Railway Budgets of the last few years have become extremely unsympathetic and indifferent towards the genuine issues of Berhampur and south Odisha and this at a time when the union government claims to champion the cause of backward regions and aiming at inclusive economic development. South Odisha which is considered as one of the most backward pockets of the country has been deprived of the basic railway infrastructure and this is considered as the biggest stumbling block in the development of the region and its principal urban center, Berhampur.

      Almost half of the districts of south Odisha have no railway line and the remaining districts like Ganjam and Rayagada which have railway connectivity lack basic infrastructure and mostly serve the movement of freight than serving the needy railway passengers in the absence of adequate number of trains. The major railway stations including the one at Berhampur are languishing with utter neglect and repeated demands inside the parliament and on the streets simply go unnoticed. For what reason this backward region is being treated in this callous manner is simply beyond any logic and justification. People in most districts of the region are still living in the Stone Age with almost 40% people being primitive tribes; more than 70% of the population below the poverty line and a large majority of them illiterate. Added to this the recent spurt in Maoist menace has taken a toll on the masses of the region and lack of railway connectivity is one of the main causes for the present plight. While every central leader and Minister who see the plight of the masses here do sympathize with the people for the utter backwardness of the region, they forget the demands of the region when they are back in Delhi and while making policy interventions.

      As far as the deficit of railway infrastructure in Berhampur city is concerned, unmet demands, unfulfilled promises and false assurances galore as citizens of Berhampur city wait with bated breath for another Union Railway Budget, hoping for some sort of departure this time around. While large part of Ganjam has no rail connectivity; Gajapati and Phulbani Districts have no functional rail link at all and about five million people of these three districts depend solely on Berhampur railway station. Year after year railway budgets come and go, but issues of Berhampur remain unaddressed and people accept this perennial negligence as their fate. The demand for a coaching terminal complex is one such demand which people and even the state government have been making for past many years. Railway coaching terminal at Berhampur would solve some of the long felt problems of the people of Berhampur region. The terminal complex at Berhampur is crucial for the extension of long distance trains upto Berhampur and hence people of three districts who depend on this railway station have lot of stake in this project and have been pressing for the same for the past many years. Multi-functional Complexes were announced for 50 railway stations across the country in the previous railway Budget and yet Berhampur railway station, though classified as an “A” grade station was denied this though it caters to the needs of around five million people. Berhampur Railway station, built during the British era is a historic structure but has not been adequately developed though it caters to the needs of around five million people of the region. There is a long list of demands for new trains and railway lines, but, going by the past record most people want at least the issue of coaching terminal complex at Berhampur to be taken upurgently. Some other genuine demands like Gunupur-Therubali railway line, new trains between Berhampur-Rourkela and Berhampur-Koraput and extension of Orissa Sampark Kranti Express train upto Berhampur need to be looked into.

    Further, establishment of a railway manufacturing unit or other such measures like establishment of Railway personnel/staff training/finance/traffic institutes at Berhampur and other parts of South Odisha need to be considered sympathetically in view of the backwardness of the region and in recognition for the contributions made by the East Coast Railway to the central kitty.

     One railway budget is not enough to address the long pending issues and to undo the repeated negligence meted out to Berhampur and South Odisha, but we do hope that a biggining will be made this time when you rise to present the railway budget in the Parliament. Sincere steps are needed to address the above issues and the issue of coaching terminal at Berhampur in particular. Berhampur region and South-Odisha deserve better attention and augmentation in resources from the Indian railways to come out of the vicious circle of underdevelopment especially in the railway infrastructure front. Madam, we count on your commitment to bring positive changes for the perennially neglected regions of the country in rail transport sector by making railway budget an instrument of correcting the lopsided development in the Country and by ensuring just distribution of resources.

Warm Regards,

R.P. Tripathy

          Copy to: Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha

                       : Shri K.H.Muniyappa, Hon’ble Minister of State, Railways

                       : Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State, Railways

                       : Shri T.R. Baalu, Standing Committee Chairman, Railways

                       : Shri S.S. Khurana, Chairman, Railway Board

                       : Shri A.K. Vohra, General Manager, East Coast Railway

Railway Budget round the corner: Coaching terminal complex at Berhampur tops the wish-list of people

Do send emails to railway officials outlining the needs for improving railway infrastructure in Berhampur, Ganjam and Southern Odisha. This is the least one can do to highlight the issues pertaining to the glaring deficit of railway infrastructure. Following are the emails of Railway Ministers, Railway Board members and Zonal and Divisional officials:

mr@rb.railnet.gov.in,  msrm@rb.railnet.gov.in,  msra@rb.railnet.gov.in,

crb@rb.railnet.gov.in,  fc@rb.railnet.gov.in,  ml@rb.railnet.gov.in,

me@rb.railnet.gov.in,  mm@rb.railnet.gov.in,  ms@rb.railnet.gov.in,

mt@rb.railnet.gov.in,  secyrb@rb.railnet.gov.in,  edcis@rb.railnet.gov.in,

gm@eastcoastrailway.gov.in, drmkur@eastcoastrailway.gov.in,

RP Tripathy

The Railway Budget of the last few years has not been kind towards Berhampur and has been extremely unsympathetic and indifferent towards the genuine issues and demands of the region, feel most people of the silk city. Unmet demands, unfulfilled promises and false assurances galore as citizens of Berhampur city wait with bated breath for the upcoming Union Railway Budget, hoping for a departure this time around. While large part of Ganjam has no rail connectivity; Gajapati and Phulbani Districts have no functional rail link at all and about five million people of these three districts depend solely on Berhampur railway station. Year after year railway budgets come and go, but issues of Berhampur remain unaddressed and people accept this perennial negligence as their fate. The demand for a coaching terminal complex is one such demand which people and even the state government have been making for past many years. Coaching terminal complex at Berhampur is crucial for the extension of long distance trains upto Berhampur and we must make sure that this is addressed in the upcoming Union Railway Budget. Multi-functional Complexes are being developed at 50 railway stations across the country and there is no logic why Berhampur railway station that caters to the needs of around five million people can’t have this complex. There is a long list of demands for new trains and railway lines as well, but, going by the past record most people want at least the issue of coaching terminal complex at Berhampur to be taken up this time.

Berhampur hosts AITA super series tournament

BERHAMPUR: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) Super Series 2010 for under 14 boys and girls category has kicked off in Berhampur city. This tournament is being hosted by GDTA, the local tennis association, under the aegis of OTA. The secretary of the Orissa Tennis Association (OTA), Madhusudan Padhi, inaugurated the tournament at the clay courts of the Union Club in the city. The president of GDTA, Satyabrata Sahu, presided over the inaugural function. The organising secretary of the tournament, Arjun Swain, said that over 71 top players of ‘under 14 years’ category from all over the country have come down to participate in the premier national tournament. The matches of the tournament are being played on the premises of the Union Club and the Army Air Defence College (AADC), Gopalpur. The matches of the boys section are being played on two clay courts on the Union Club premises. The girls’ matches are on at the synthetic court in the AADC. The budding stars of tennis would locks horns in both singles and doubles matches. The tournament bears great importance for them as they would gain valuable points for their AITA ranking from it. Since 2006 the GDTA is organising AITA tennis tournaments in the city to promote tennis among the youngsters. Several top seeded players are participating in this Super Series under 14 tournament.
OTA to establish tennis complex at Berhampur
The Orissa Tennis Association has decided to establish a tennis complex here to promote the sport. “We have asked the district administration for about two acres of land for the proposed complex, first of its kind in southern Orissa, Stayabrata Sahu, an official of the Orissa Tennis Association (OTA) and state transport secretary, said. Meanwhile, the Ganjam district administration had identified a place at Ambapua, on the outskirt of the town.
Source: The Hindu, Odishatoday, Orissatv