Naveen Patnaik writes to PM and Railway Minister seeking National Project status for Berhampur-Sambalpur (via Phulbani) and Gopalpur-Rayagada railway lines; demands speedy implementation of railway wagon factory in Ganjam

Berhampur Railway Station, Odisha

Demanding justice and proper share to Odisha in the 2013-2014 Railway budget, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the Prime Minister mentioning the needs of the State in view of investment flow, economic growth and industrialisation. Pointing at the apathetic attitude of the Rail Ministry in spite of huge revenue collection from Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that 'the railway route length and all rail density in the state is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighbouring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in excess of 14000 Crore during the year 2012-2013.' Chief Minister has requested the Prime Minister of India, in his letter, to ensure allocation of sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand rail network.

Citing that the State needs to look for new virgin areas for development and industrialisation as many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and, also, due to environmental concerns, Naveen has demanded speedy execution of projects such as, Bhadrachalam Road – Talcher Rail Link via Malkangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh; Berhampur- Sambalpur new Rail Link via Phulbani; Rayagada – Gopalpur Rail Link via Bhismagiri. Requesting the PM to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis, Naveen has also urged that these projects should be treated as “National Projects”. The Chief Minister has demanded the Prime Minister in his letter to expedite the setting up of the Wagon Factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam which was declared in Budget for the year 2011-12 and also take steps to establish a railway apprentice training centre in the backward KBK region to support the skills development and increase employability of the people of this region.

Alleging that the union ministry has bypassed Odisha while implementing ambitious projects like the dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects, Naveen has demanded that the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnam so as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hinterlands of the country. On poor or no rail network in the backward regions of Odisha, the Chief Minister said that lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons of impeding socio-economic growth of this region. Mentioning that expansion of rail network in these areas would help minimising the impact of left wing extremism, Naveen adds in his letter to the Prime Minister that ‘delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelise development therein and provide counter active force.’

Source: Hotnhitnews.com & Orissa Diary

IFC supported Berhampur solid waste management project on fast track

Source: The Sambad

Berhampur to make helmets compulsory

Annapurna Market, Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Use of helmets will be made compulsory for two-wheeler riders in Berhampur city from February 15. Berhampur superintendent of police Prateek Mahanty said vehicular traffic was increasing in the city and it was time that people should wear helmets. “Authorities are contemplating to make helmets compulsory for the two-wheeler riders from February 15. What is required is a mindset and we have given sufficient time, more than one month, to the two-wheeler riders to buy helmets,” said Mahanty. “We would organise awareness programmes involving students, social activists and general public on the use of helmets for the two-wheeler riders and are working out a mechanism to enforce the regulation. This would be in accordance with the Motor Vehicle’s Act,” he said.

Head of the department of the surgery unit of MKCG Medical College and Hospital Rasananda Mangual said: “I personally don’t think there is any situation where a helmet could make you less safe. But, I am quite sure head injuries will be worse without helmets.” “In the past eight months, we have received 1,200 cases of accidents at MKCG involving motorcycles and most of them are head injuries. Use of helmets will help reduce the injuries. I further request the Berhampur superintendent of police to impose an order for the two-wheeler riders to limit their speed to 20km in the city,” Mangual said. In another development, a group of students of City High School, Govt Girls’ High School and volunteers of the Prerana organised a road safety awareness campaign rally at Ramlingam Tank Road here on January 5. Hundreds of students took part in the rally with banners carrying message on road safety and importance of helmets.

Source: The Telegraph

Saraf Agencies to invest Rs 5,000 cr on titanium park SEZ at Chatrapur in Ganjam

Even as the row between Kolkata-based Saraf Agencies and Russian promoters over the jinxed titanium project is yet to settle, the Indian promoter has reaffirmed its commitment on the project. Saraf Agencies has unveiled Rs 5,000-cr investment plan that will also include a titanium park besides the titanium dioxide plant, a project proposed at Chhatrapur in south Odisha's Ganjam district that has hitherto remained a non-starter.

"Presently, we have got 260 acres of land at the project site. We have sought additional 250 acres of land for developing a titanium park. Our total investment on the titanium dioxide plant and titanium park will be Rs 5,000 crore,” SM Shroff, chairman, Saraf Agencies told the media after meeting chief secretary BK Patnaik. On the titanium dioxide plant, he said, “We are going to perform the ground breaking ceremony on January 17. Production of titanium slag is expected to commence by April 2014 while titanium dioxide production is set to start within 20 months of the ground breaking ceremony.” Shroff said his company would set up the titanium plant on its own without any joint venture partner.

Saraf Agencies will build the titanium plant with the help of Chinese technology. The company claimed to have placed advances of Rs 15 crore to Chinese equipment suppliers. When asked about the ongoing dispute with the Russian promoters, he said, “In compliance with the order given by the department of industrial policy and promotion, the land for the titanium project was transferred to the joint venture (JV) company. But the Russian promoters announced that they are not keen on implementing the project. The matter is now under arbitration.” Chief secretary BK Patnaik said, “Saraf Agencies is interested to set up the titanium project on the acquired land. We have to examine whether it is permissible or not.”

The titanium project proposed to be set up at Chhatrapur in south Odisha's Ganjam district has had a tortuous journey for over four years. Initially conceived as an Indo-Russian joint venture, the project grounded to a halt after its Indian promoter- Saraf Agencies walked out of the project following intractable differences with the Russian proponents. Of late, Saraf Agencies had revived its interest in the project as land was in its possession. The company had communicated its intent to the state government, stating that it was keen to implement the titanium plant on its own. Saraf Agencies has also submitted its proposal to the Ganjam district administration and Land Losers' Welfare Association, seeking their cooperation for implementing the project even as the company is embroiled in a legal battle with its erstwhile partner. The two partners had sparred over the controversial manner of allotment of land by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco). Idco had allotted land for the titanium project to Saraf Agencies at Chhatrapur but the Russian promoters had opposed it, demanding land allocation in the name of Titanium Products Private Limited (TPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed for the project on January 29, 2008. As per the original scheme of things, the Russian partners- State Property Management Agency had 51% stake in the JV and Tekhnokhim Holding 4% stake.

Source: Business Standard

Fire power demo by Army Air Defence College at Golabandha near Berhampur

Army Air Defence College in Gopalpur conducted a firepower demonstration with weapons ranging from medium and short-range missile systems to guns. As many as 330 student officers, including 30 from abroad, witnessed the exercise. Lieutenant general B.V. Nair, who is the commandant of Defence Services Staff College, and chief instructors from the air force and navy attended the event. The missile systems that were fired included the OSA-AK weapon system, Strella 10-m missile and Igla-1M shoulder fired missile. The anti aircraft guns demonstrated included the Schilka weapon system, L/70 gun and ZU-23mm twin barrel gun, which play a major role in the air defence of the Indian Army. The state-of-the-art Inter Services Pilotless Target Aircraft, Lakshya, produced indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, provided the aerial target support. The officers were taken around the military station and shown various training facilities and the set-up at the host college. Commandant of the college, lieutenant general Vijay Kumar Saxena, said: “A similar demonstration will be conducted on January 12 for another 250 officers of Defence Services Staff College.”

Senior dignitaries and officers of DSSC witnessed this fire power demonstration. They were in the AADC on a study tour. Lieutenant General B. V. Nair, the commandant of DSSC was also present along with chief instructors from Air Force and Navy. A total of 330 student officers witnessed this fire power demonstration. They included 30 officers from friendly foreign countries. The visiting officers were also taken round the AADC and were shown the state of the art training and infrastructure in this military establishment. Commandant of AADC, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Saxena also addressed the visiting officers. A similar fire power demonstration will be held at AADC on Jan. 12 for 250 officers of Defence Staff College.

Spread over more than 2,700 acres by the Bay of Bengal, Army Air Defence College is a training institution. It dates back to the pre-Independence era, when the School of Artillery was located at Quetta and the anti-aircraft wing, at Karachi. But after Independence, both were shifted to Deolali in Nasik. In 1955, it was decided to relocate the air defence wing. Eight years on, the state government offered 3,000 acres at Gopalpur-on–sea along with seaward firing range, which was accepted in 1968. The Centre sanctioned the establishment of Air Defence and Guided Missile School and Centre here and it was finally shifted to Gopalpur in 1989, redesignated as Army Air Defence College in November 1998.

Sources: The Telegraph, The Hindu

Odisha mulls second hotel management institute at Khallikote in Ganjam

College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote, Ganjam

To bridge the demand supply gap in human resources for the hospitality sector, the state government proses to set up a second State Institute for Hotel Management (SIHM) at Khallikote in Ganjam district after Bolangir. For establishing the institute, the planning and coordination department has asked the tourism department to provide detailed project report including availability of land, courses to be imparted with durations, intake capacity for different courses, total financial implications for the project, staffing pattern etc by observing the guide lines of Government of India (GoI). “The Director of Tourism has asked the Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar to draw the DPR while the Director of Culture has been asked to earmark about five acre of land around the government college of art and craft, Khallikote,” said an official in the tourism department. He said, after the finalization of the DPR, the proposal will be forwarded to the Centre for approval.

At present, the government runs two institutes in the state with intake of capacity of 593 students while there are about 13 private colleges providing courses in the hotel management. Similarly, the state government is mulling to start three year Bachelor Degree Courses in Hotel and Hospitality management at SIHM, Bolangir and is likely to send a proposal soon to the Centre in this regard. Opening of more institutes in the sector assume significance as many premium category hotels like Taj Group of Hotel and ITC hotels have lined up investment plans in Odisha while Roots Corporation Limited (RCL) - a subsidiary of Indian Hotel Company Limited that runs Ginger hotels in the economy category are on expansion mode. Mayfair Hotels & Resorts and Trident are the only two hotels in Odisha operating in the five star deluxe brackets with total room strength of 164. Industry experts say, the annual average occupancy of these two five star hotels is expected to be around 70 per cent. In 2010-11, approximately 53,212 foreign tourists visited the state, while the number has increased to 62,816 in 2011-12.

Source: Business Standard

City BJP reiterates demand for railway passenger halt near Industrial Estate in Berhampur

Source: The Hindu & The Sambad

The demand for a passenger halt near the Industrial Estate in Berhampur city has remained unfulfilled despite repeated promises to that effect by the East Coast Railway authorities. In November 1998 at a meeting of the railway coordination committee recommendation was made for establishment of a passenger halt in industrial estate area. In 2010, East Coast Railway authorities had agreed in principle to establishment of this halt near industrial estate. A delegation of railway engineers had also made a spot visit in the past to prepare a feasibility report. But the passenger halt has not materialized yet. 

The apathetic approach of the railway authorities has led to public anger with political parties planning for another round of agitation. With the expansion of the city and rise of population in the area a passenger halt at Industrial Estate has become necessary. Infact, a passenger halt with the name Lanjipalli Passenger Halt was recorded in the railway timetable in 1946. But for some reason this passenger halt which was near present Industrial Estate was closed down later. A citizens' delegation had recently met the General Manager of East Coast Railway with the demand to reopen the passenger halt in industrial estate area of Berhampur. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division had also in the past recommended the establishment of this passenger halt. However, a small and genuine demand such as this has fallen victim to the red-tape of the callous East Coast Railway authorities who don't want to look beyond the four corners of the Zonal office. It is time they are made to understand the real problems faced by the public through agitations as this probably the only language they understand. 

Terminal remedy to traffic mess in Berhampur city

Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has identified the required land at Haldiapadar on the city outskirts to build a new bus terminal for Berhampur. “A high-level meeting has approved the site and we are in the process of selecting a consultant for the project,” Kishen Kumar, Ganjam collector and vice-chairman of the Berhampur Development Authority, said. Bus terminal at Haldiapadar is expected to tackle traffic congestion in the city. Long-route buses will not be allowed to enter the city and passengers can avail themselves of city or town buses. The development authority is optimistic about this project, he said.

There are currently two bus stands in Berhampur. However, the Odisha State Road Transport Company has ceased to operate from the Old Bus Stand at Barracks, and now, taxis and auto rickshaws are using the space. Company and the private buses are operating from the New Bus Stand.  “We would use the New Bus Stand as the City Bus Terminus,” Kumar said. “We are in the process of introducing the city bus service between Berhampur and Chhatrapur and Gopalpur before August. The state government has decided to procure 28 buses. However, the management will be in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode like that in Bhubaneswar and Puri,” he said. The development authority is also undertaking two bus terminuses at Chhatrapur and Gopalpur, and a Mumbai-based company Crisil has been appointed as the transaction advisor. It has already done preliminary study, he said. Source: The Telegraph

Year 2013

Berhampur places: GandaHathi waterfall (Gajapati)

Source: Dharitri

Technology expo for handloom weavers begins in Berhampur

An ‘appropriate technology exhibition’ for weavers of Ganjam district was inaugurated at Ganjam Kala Parishad premises in Berhampur. This exhibition has been organised by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms of Central government and it would continue till December 8. Berhampur is hosting such an exhibition for the first time. The aim of this exhibition was to make the traditional weavers know about the recent technical developments that can enhance their skill and production. The stalls setup in this exhibition showcase machineries and technical know how that could be adapted by the local weavers. Surendra Kumar Patra, the assistant director of weaver service centre said in a phased manner weavers from all parts of Ganjam district would be brought to this exhibition.

Source: The Sambad

On the inaugural day, silk weavers of Berhampur city attended the exhibition. It may be noted that silk pattu sarees produced in Berhampur give it the name ‘silk city’. Around 1,200 weaver families live in different parts of Ganjam district. Out of them around 250 live in Berhampur. There were two handloom clusters in Ganjam district, one in Berhampur and other at Aska.

Among the displays for weavers there were innovative machines designed for handloom sector in recent past. Dipak Bharali from Assam had come over with his newly designed machine that reduces time and labour for making designs through weaving. Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem also displayed its new cost effective innovative machines for handloom weavers. Central Silk Board opened up a stall to educate weavers regarding silk yarn and its handling while preparing textile. Dye manufacturers from Kolkata and Mumbai also attended this exhibition to provide latest techniques in dyeing. A youth of Nuapatna area of Odisha, Antaryami Tosh who has designed and patented four spindle domestic bobbin winding machine was also a major attraction of this exhibition.

The inaugural function of the exhibition was attended by several experts and officials of handloom sector. They included Sunder Lal, zonal director of Weavers’ Service Centre, Guwahati, S.K.Ghosh, assistant director of Central Silk Board, Kolakata, senior scientist of Central Silk Board, Cuttack, B.K.Soni, Upendra Kumar Debata, assistant director of textiles etc. Source: The Hindu

Rs 5 crore sanctioned for city bus service in Greater Berhampur

Source: Government of Odisha

Badabazar wholesale market likely to be shifted to city outskirts

Few centuries old wholesale market at Badabazar area of Berhampur city has been proposed to be shifted to outskirts of Berhampur. It may be noted that this wholesale market which deals with grocery, vegetables as well as cloth material happens to be a major crux of this major trading city of south Odisha. But with time the area has become too congested. Passage of trucks to the area through narrow roads has become too tiresome for the traffic flow.

The amount of transaction and goods handling at this wholesale market has also increased many folds during past few decades. According to president of Ganjam Chamber of Commerce, C. Ravindranath, every day around 100 trucks carrying grocery items and other food materials cater to this market. Trucks carrying other materials also add up to this number.

Speaking to newsmen recently Ganjam district Collector, Krishen Kumar had informed that plans had been mooted to shift this major wholesale market to Haldiapadar area on the outskirts of the city. According to him this new wholesale market was to being planned to be made operational in next three to four years. The new wholesale market at Haldiapadar would be established on a patch of around 10 acres of land. There would also be a truck terminal on five acres of land near the wholesale market, the Collector said. This new wholesale market would reduce entry of loaded trucks inside the city limits. As per the plans this proposed wholesale market was to be managed by Digapahandi Regulated Market Committee (RMC).

When contacted the president of Ganjam Chamber of Commerce said till now administration had not made any detailed discussion with the traders regarding shifting of the Badabazar wholesale market to Haldiapadar area. Mr. Ravindranath demanded the administration to take traders into confidence before initiating the project. “We the traders want proper security, infrastructure and communication facility at the proposed wholesale market”, Mr. Ravindranath said. Without these facilities no trader would agree to shift to the new location, he added. The local traders wanted their involvement during the planning for the establishment of the proposed new wholesale market for the city.

Source: The Hindu

28 years into construction, Barracks stadium at Berhampur is still incomplete

Source: The Sambad

NIST denies allegations on AICTE approval

Source: The Sambad

Berhampur News

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

‘Dhanu Muan’, A Ganjam delicacy

Sweetmeat makers preparing ‘Dhanu Muan’ in Berhampur I Express Photo

It is that time of the year again when almost all the sweetmeat shops in Berhampur are busy rolling out ‘Dhanu Muan’ of various shapes and sizes out of their kitchens. ‘Dhanu Muan’, a speciality sweet dish of south Odisha, is mostly sold during the Odia month of ‘Pausa’. It may be noted that ‘Dhanu Muan’ of Ganjam district is famous across the State. The ‘muan’ is ritualistically prepared and sold between ‘Dhanu Sankranti’ and ‘Makar Sankranti’. Although the sweet is prepared during other months, people prefer to buy it during its annual season.

According to the manufacturers, ‘Dhanu Muan’ is related to the economic history of this region. Since long, people of Odisha used to prepare ‘muan’ for ritualistic offering during puja on Dhanu Sankranti. But the ‘muan’ was being prepared with jaggery. One of the first sugar mills on east coast had come up at Aska in Ganjam district during the British era. The sweet vendors of Ganjam were the first in Odisha to use sugar to prepare sweets replacing traditional jaggery. So their ‘Dhanu muan’ had provided them with a unique position in the traditional sweet market of the State. It is during the ‘Pausa’ month that on an average one tonne of ‘muan’ is prepared daily.

However, with the increasing price of sugar, cashewnuts and other ingredients for the ‘muan’, the price of ‘muan’ has been hiked this year. Samar, a ‘Dhanu muan’ manufacturer of the town, said the price of ‘muan’ prepared using ‘desi ghee’ has been fixed at Rs  240 to Rs 260 a kilo. It is costlier by Rs 40 than the last season. Similarly, the general ‘dhanu muan’ which was selling for Rs 60 a kg last year is being sold for ` 80 this year. Source: New Indian Express

Varsity status likely for Khallikote College: Higher Education Minister

The government plans to accord University status to three premier colleges of the state, including Khallikote Autonomous College, Berhampur, Rama Devi Women's College, Bhubaneswar and Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur. "We have proposed to make three colleges deemed universities. Before taking the final decision, the higher education department will review the infrastructure facilities available in these colleges," higher education minister Badri Naryan Patra said here . But he did not spell out the specific period for upgradation of these colleges. "It may be this year or next year," he said during the Foundation Day celebration of Berhampur University here.

He said people and students of Berhampur have demanded that the 135-year-old Khallikote autonomous college be converted into a deemed university. But it has only one-third teaching staff of the sanctioned strength. "Khallikote College is not only one. There is a shortage of teaching staff in several other government colleges. We will fill up some posts soon," he said. The minister also said that his department would move to finance department to accord concurrence to open some new departments in Berhampur University. The university has not opened new departments despite UGC sanction for lack of government concurrence. As a result, the university lost UGC funds sanctioned for it.

Source: Times of India

Berhampur University celebrates 47th Foundation Day

Berhampur University celebrated its 47th Foundation Day on Wednesday. The function was held at the Biju Patnaik Auditorium on the university campus. State Minister for Higher Education Badri Narayan Patra attended the function as chief guest. Berhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra, Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy, and Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethy were present. University Vice-Chancellor Jayanta Kumar Mohapatra presided over the function.

The Higher education minister advocated for the promotion of quality education and a competitive spirit while addressing the foundation day celebrations of the University. Mr. Patra said development of human resources in the State was closely associated with development all other resources in the area. The Berhampur MLA said the university deserved to be developed into a centre of excellence. He promised to take up the issue with the government and urged people of all sections to support him in his efforts. The Gopalpur MLA asked the State government to develop the university and the city as an education hub.

Vice chancellor of Berhampur University J K Mohapatra appealed to the minister to call a conference all vice chancellors in the state to review the problems faced by universities. "I hope that will be a best forum to resolve problems of all universities," Mohapatra said. “This practice exists in other states and we must follow it too for a healthy atmosphere in our universities,” he said.

The varsity felicitated former station director of All India Radio (AIR) Madhusudan Panigrahi and Dr Chandramani Swain, a doctor, for their contribution to the society. The minister also inaugurated the state-of-art laboratory, where the students will be taught on personality development to become job-ready. The laboratory has been developed with Rs 10 lakh assistance from the UGC while Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagapur, has provided the technical know-how for the functioning of the laboratory. In-charge of the laboratory Sadananda Nayak said the students will not have to pay any extra amount to undergo training at the laboratory.

The university was established in 1967. As many as 139 colleges in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangapur and Malkangiri are affiliated to this institution. Six other colleges under its jurisdiction that have been accorded autonomy are Khallikote College in Berhampur, Vikram Dev College in Jeypore, SKCG College in Paralakhemundi, Sashi Bhusan Rath Governemnt Women’s College in Berhampur, Government College in Phulbani and Rayagada College. Sources: The Hindu, Times of India & The Telegraph

Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) to take up infrastructure work in Greater Berhampur on a war footing

Commuters in greater Berhampur that includes Chatrapur, Gopalpur and villages between them would have city bus service by August. It was stated by Ganjam district Collector Krishen Kumar, who has taken charge as vice-chairman of the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA). Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, Mr Kumar said city bus service was one of the six major projects that the BDA had decided to start in 2013. Total cost of these projects would be around Rs 100 crore. The city bus service for greater Berhampur would be operated through Private Public Participation (PPP) mode on the lines of similar service in Bhubaneswar and Puri. The State government has agreed to provide 28 buses for the city bus service of the BDA. Apart from easing transportation in the city, city bus service would help flow of tourists to Gopalpur beach resort and travel of common mass to district headquarters town, Chatrapur.

The other major proposed project of the BDA was establishment of a new bus stand on the outskirts of the city at Haldiapadar. This new bus stand would be established on a five acres of land. Consultants were appointed for establishment of modern bus stands at Gopalpur and Chatrapur.

Rock garden

To provide recreational facility and zones to the public the BDA has come up with two projects. One of them is establishment of a rock garden in Ambapua area. Two acres of land has been identified for the purpose. Bedabandha, a large water body of the city, would be developed into a water-based recreation centre by the BDA. The Bedabandha project would cost Rs 8-10 crore. “After clearance from State government, tender for the Bedabandha project was expected to be floated in March”, Mr Kumar said. He said the much-awaited Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for greater Berhampur would be ready this year.

According to him the BDA itself would be revamped. At present the BDA was short-staffed and it did not even have an enforcement officer and secretary. “We have discussed with government to fill key vacancies in the BDA as early as possible,” he said. The vice-chairman of the BDA said in the next four to five months building regulation would be strictly implemented in the city. Lack of enforcement officer in the BDA was a major hindrance to implementation of regulation. There were several multi-storeyed buildings in the city which had used up their parking space fro commercial purpose. Thirty such cases had been identified and 17 had been issued notices.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad