Berhampur girl wins gold in World Martial Art Council Game for kickboxing

Berhampur girl B.Yasoda Reddy won gold medal in the First World Martial Art Council Game on Wednesday for kickboxing. The international sports event is being held in Bangkok. Twenty-year-old Reddy was selected by the Indian Kickboxing Association on the basis of her winning performance in the qualifying match.

 The young kickboxer faced immense financial difficulties. Even to participate in the international event, she had to make a deposit of Rs, 47,000 for the entry fee, travel and other expenses. However, with the efforts of her coach N. Balakrishna Reddy and financial help from the District administration, she participated in the event. The event started on March 12 and will continue till March 22.

Famous Berhampur Thakurani Jatra to begin from March 28

The famous Budhi Thakurani Jatra of Berhampur will start from March 28 this year and will continue till April 27. Preparations for the biannual festival have started at the Desibehera Street in Berhampur after the Subha Khunti (auspicious post) was laid on March 12.

Devotees in huge numbers expected to visit the temporary temple at the Desibehera Street at the time of Jatra,

Devotees in huge numbers expected to visit the temporary temple at the Desibehera Street at the time of Jatra, 

“The construction of the temporary temple at the Desibehera Street has started, it will take four more days to complete,” informed the craftsman of the temporary Mandap Dasarathi Maharana. The Jatra begins with the arrival of the floral sign of the deity (Aagyamala) to the temporary temple. This will be followed by Ghata Yatra in which the Aagyanmala will be taken on a public procession around the streets of Old Berhampur.

As devotees in huge numbers are expected at the time of Jatra, the Public Health Department has planned to increase drinking water supply in the Bada Bazar area.

As informed by the Executive Engineer of PHD Deba Sundar Mahapatra, around 20 temporary stand points will be placed in Desibehera Street and the nearby places. Water tankers will be positioned on different squares of the city at the time of jatra.

20 March 2015 | Ronalisa Parida | Edited By: Longjam Dineshwori

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Over three lakhs gathered on second Tuesday of Chaitra at Tara Tarini

Tata plant in Gopalpur SEZ (Berhampur) to open in July

The high carbon ferrochrome plant of Tata Steel, which would be the anchorage industry of the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of the company in Ganjam district of Odisha, is expected to be commissioned in July this year.

This SEZ named ‘Gopalpur Industrial Park’ is coming up on the land that had been acquired by the company for its now shelved mega steel plant project near Gopalpur port. This ferrochrome plant linked to the SEZ project will be of 55,000 Tons per Annum (TPA) capacity. Tata Steel has invested Rs. 800 crore on this ferrochrome plant. According to Tata Steel officials in the second phase the company envisions to expand capacity of this ferrochrome unit to 2,45,000 TPA. It will make it largest single location ferrochrome production complex in Asia.

Construction and all other works of the ferrochrome plant of Tata Steel in Ganjam district is expected to be completed by May. As per the information from Arun Misra, vice president, Gopalpur Project & MD, Tata Steel SEZ, commissioning of this ferrochrome plant will take some more time till July because of power connectivity process. Some changes had to be brought in the route map of the power transmission line to this plant as it was it was crossing a hospital coming up in the area. It has delayed the power connectivity process. The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) has already approved the new route of transmission line for this project and work is on.

Jurong, a Singapore based consultant firm is developing the master plan for this multi-product SEZ of Tata Steel. This SEZ is expected to attract investment worth 10,000 to 15,000 crore rupees. Commissioning of the high carbon ferrochrome plant as the anchorage industry would be first major step towards materialisation of the ‘Gopalpur Industrial Park’ SEZ project. The target is to start this SEZ in 2016.

According to Tata Steel sources, the company has already started the process to attract and invite companies to its proposed SEZ. The company has already organised a ‘road show’ for the purpose in Singapore. It is in touch with prospective investors in India as well as abroad, who may be interested to come up with their units in the Gopalpur SEZ of the company.

BERHAMPUR, March 18, 2015

Brahmapur railway station gets additional platform, ticket booking counter and new entrance

Brahmapur railway station gets additional platform, ticket booking counter and new entrance connecting the Good shed road.

Olive Ridley turtles arrive for annual nesting at Rushikulya coast near Berhampur

41 km stretch of Berhampur-Taptapani road yet to be completed

Tardy progress of work on the 41-km Berhampur-Taptapani Road in Ganjam district of Odisha appeared to have irked people as the Rs 82 crore project was taken up over six years ago.

"Accidents are regularly reported on this stretch and the road work needs to be completed as soon as possible," said former Chairman of Digapahandi Notified Area Council (NAC) Hruday Ranjan Mekap.

The Rs 82-crore work was taken up in November, 2008 under the World Bank-funded Orissa State Road Project to improve the state highway, connecting Berhampur with Taptapani, a tourist destination.

Berhampur-Taptapani Road in Ganjam district of Odisha 

The delay has escalated the project cost to Rs 87 crore, officials said. "Work on 30 km of the 41-km stretch has been completed," said Executive Engineer of the project Binod Das.

He attributed the delay to hurdles in land acquisition, payment of compensation to land losers, termination of contract and floating of fresh tender. "Land for the project have been acquired in 28 of 31 villages so far. The process could not be completed in Digapahandi, Lanjia and Gokarnapur following some disputes," officials said. "Family and title disputes, besides cases, including endowment, pending in courts, have hampered the progress of the project," said Land Acquisition Officer, A K Das. "We couldn't provide compensation to some land losers following a directive from additional commissioner of endowment," Das added.

The contractor has sought time till December. The firm was given June deadline though the work was to be completed in January.

Devotees throng Tara Tarini Hill shrine to witness Chaitra Mela

With the beginning of the Chaitra Mela, thousands of devotees thronged Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Ganjam district to witness the Tara Tarini Chaitra Jatra.

The Chaitra Mela which starts from the first Tuesday of the Hindu month of Chaitra continues for the four Tuesdays of the month. Tara Tarini is known as one of the major Shakti Pithas in India where the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshipped as the manifestation of Adi Shakti. The temple is located on the bank of river Rushikulya.

The goddesses Tara and Tarini are regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in many parts of Odisha. Mundan ceremony of a baby (usually performed during the first year of a child's life) is done to get the blessings of the Goddesses. Devotees climb 999 steps to reach the temple. A highspeed rope-way is being operated by UshaBreaco to carry devotees to the hill temple.

“Special arrangements have been made for the convenience of the visitors. Tents have been set up on the way to the hilltop so that visitors can take rest. Temporary health camps are also put up,” said Secretary of Taratarini Development Board P.K. Panda.

Berhampur to have a City Commercial Centre soon

Berhampur will soon have a City Commercial Centre at Ambapua road near Gopalpur junction. The centre will comprise of several commercial buildings. Its construction will be done by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation.

According to BDA Secretary Dipti Mahapatra, “The design of the City Commercial Centre is ready and we will send it for approval from the government. After it is approved, we will start working on it.”

BDA has planned to make the City Commercial Centre on a land of 12 acres. It will be a multi-storied marketing centre with offices, multiplex and a shopping mall inside it. The mall is designed to be constructed on a land of five acres.

“We have not yet fixed the budget for the project. But we will make it on Public Private Partnership mode once we get the approval,” informed Secretary.

On one hand the BDA is planning to start new projects in Berhampur, the authority has still not been able to complete the old projects. BDA had started a housing project called Vivek Vihar on Ambapua road in 2009. However, the beneficiaries went to the High Court against the delay in project. Asked on the matter the Secretary said, “The matter is subjudic. So we can’t start work there and even no depositor has deposited the full amount yet.”

Similarly, the BDA has planned to make ring roads for greater Berhampur. Commenting on the matter Mahapatra said, “It is already approved by the state government but the funds have not been sanctioned yet. After we get the funds, firstly, we will start the land acquisition procedure.”

OTDC gets responsibility for renovation of Budhi Thakurani temple in Berhampur

Public utility services like parking space, drinking water facilities and toilets will be provided after the renovation of the temple

Thousands of devotees attend the famous Budhi Thakurani Yatra which is organised once in every two years at Old Berhampur.

After the Tourism department sanctioned Rs. One Crore for the development of the famous Budhi Thakurani temple in Berhampur last year, the responsibility for renovation has been given to the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC).

“Public utility services like parking space, drinking water facilities and toilets will be provided after the renovation of the temple. The assigned architecture firm NESTER has already made the blue print of the developments,” said District Tourism Officer Sanatan Nayak. “The funds have reached OTDC and we will call tenders for the work,” he added.

The Budhi Thakurani temple of Berhampur is one of the oldest temples of the city. Thousands of devotees attend the famous Budhi Thakurani Yatra which is organised once in every two years at Old Berhampur. Besides, the arrival of devotes continues throughout the year.

-DNA, Monday, 09 March 2015 | Ronalisa Parida

in courts, have hampered the progress of the project," said Land Acquisition Officer, A K Das. "We couldn't provide compensation to some land losers following a directive from additional commissioner of endowment," Das added.

The contractor has sought time till December. The firm was given June deadline though the work was to be completed in January.

41 km stretch of Berhampur-Taptapani road yet to be completed

Tardy progress of work on the 41-km Berhampur-Taptapani Road in Ganjam district of Odisha appeared to have irked people as the Rs 82 crore project was taken up over six years ago.

"Accidents are regularly reported on this stretch and the road work needs to be completed as soon as possible," said former Chairman of Digapahandi Notified Area Council (NAC) Hruday Ranjan Mekap.

The Rs 82-crore work was taken up in November, 2008 under the World Bank-funded Orissa State Road Project to improve the state highway, connecting Berhampur with Taptapani, a tourist destination.

The delay has escalated the project cost to Rs 87 crore, officials said.   "Work on 30 km of the 41-km stretch has been completed," said Executive Engineer of the project Binod Das.

He attributed the delay to hurdles in land acquisition, payment of compensation to land losers, termination of contract and floating of fresh tender. "Land for the project have been acquired in 28 of 31 villages so far. The process could not be completed in Digapahandi, Lanjia and Gokarnapur following some disputes," officials said.  "Family and title disputes, besides cases, including endowment, pending in courts, have hampered the progress of the project," said Land Acquisition Officer, A K Das. "We couldn't provide compensation to some land losers following a directive from additional commissioner of endowment," Das added.

The contractor has sought time till December. The firm was given June deadline though the work was to be completed in January.

New platform of Berhampur Railway Station to open from March 15

The new constructed platform of the Berhampur Railway Station will be opened from March 15 onwards.

Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) of Khorda Division, Subhendu Kumar Choudhary made the announcement on Tuesday after reviewing the construction work going on at the Berhampur Railway Station.

Subhendu Kumar Choudhary said,“The new platform is almost ready and it will be opened for public use from March 15. Trains will pass via platform no. 4 and 5 and ticket distribution counters will also be opened outside the platforms. However, we have to wait for the formal inauguration for some time.”

The new platform is a part of the master plan prepared for overall development of the Berhampur Railway Station. A food plaza was opened recently on the first platform and a parking lot was also constructed under the plan.

However, the Automated Ticket Vending Machines in the Railway station are not functioning. On this the ADRM said, “The problem will be fixed soon. We will also deploy a person beside the machine to guide people while buying the ticket.”

Subhendu Kumar Choudhary was among the three member team from the Khorda Divisional Railways who visited the Berhampur Railway Station on Tuesday. The other members were Deputy Chief Engineer Sudhir Kumar Parida and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager H.L. Luuang.

DNA, 03 March 2015 | Ronalisa Parida 

Establishment of IISER in Berhampur

Railway line from Gopalpur to Kandhamal demanded

A group of intellectuals of different social organisations and civil society forums on Wednesday demanded rail connectivity from Gopalpur to Phulbani and extended connection with the Khordha-Balangir railway line.

The intellectuals including Sriya Nayak, Dr Subash Chandra Sahu, Deepak Pattnaik and Sudhansu Panda said the Kandhamal district of south Odisha is yet to get railway connectivity. As communication is one of the vital components of development, people of the district are deprived of it, they added.

They said the rail connectivity would help to develop the economy standard of these areas. Rail connectivity to the Gopalpur port would not only create jobs, but also enhance business in the State. Kandhamal, which is famous for its spices like ginger and turmeric and forest goods, would get easy connectivity to market its products. It would also help to attract investment in the region, said the intellectuals.

Source: The Pioneer