Draft CDP for Greater Berhampur submitted

STPI Berhampur

The Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for Greater Berhampur has started to take its final shape. The draft CDP was handed over to the Ganjam district administration by the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) on Saturday for suggestions and objections. According to chairperson of the BDA Kailash Rana, all departments related to public utilities were requested to go through the CDP and provide their suggestions and objections within 10 days. These suggestions and objections would be sent to the Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) of Government of India for their incorporation in the CDP for greater Berhampur. It may be noted that the TCPO has prepared this CDP in collaboration with Ministry of Urban Development of the State government. The draft prepared after incorporating suggestions of Ganjam district administration and concerned departments related to public utilities, would be made public. A period of 90 days would be provided for general public to furnish their suggestions and objections to the CDP draft. The final draft prepared after considering suggestions from the general public would be sent to the State government for approval. Some salient features of the draft CDP were discussed during a press conference organised by the BDA. The press meet was attended by the chairman of the BDA, Mr. Rana, chief planner of TCPO J. C. Khirsagar and Chief Town Planner and director of town planning Prashant Patnaik. The draft CDP was for an area of 317 sq. km. It comprises three urban areas namely Berhampur, Chatrapur and Gopalpur. Apart from it 139 revenue villages are also part of the CDP for greater Berhampur. One of the major suggestions of the CDP is to have two bypass roads around Berhampur to ease traffic on NH217 that passes through the city. Industrial areas have been demarcated on the outskirts of the city keeping in view the wind direction to reduce air pollution in greater Berhampur area. Similarly areas for bus terminus and proposed airport have been demarcated outside the present city limits.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad

DANDA YATRA HELD WITH FERVOUR IN BRAHMAPUR

The famous Danda Yatra of Ganjam is considered to be the most ancient and traditional form of worship. Galleri and Baibelli villages of Ghumsar in Ganjam district around 80 km from Berhampur city are said to have been the original places of the Danda Yatra.

It is a ritual performance held usually in the month Chaitra for 13 to 21 days. 

The participants of Danda Nata are usually called Dandua and the chief of the show is known as Pata Dandua, who moves from village to village to perform the Yatra.

The ritual is dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Kali, which is represented by a Danda (stick) or a pole decorated with different coloured clothes.

The Danduas perform Pani Danda, Agni Danda and Dhuli Danda with Dhola Badya (the significant instrument of the Yatra) which are the main attractions of the performance. The closing ceremony is known as Meru Yatra, which is observed on the day of Maha Vishuba Sankranti of Chaitra. Source: The Pioneer