Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appointed five IAS probationers from 2018 batch for implementation of the infrastructure project worth Rs. 500 crore in Puri, as announced by him. This move is of great significance with regards to Patnaik’s target of making Puri a World Heritage site.
PC:Times Of India
The project includes better road connectivity, improved tourist amenities, the revival of water bodies, a trumpet bridge, creation of a lake and redevelopment of mutts. The five probationers – Keerthi Vasan V, Subhankar Mohapatra, Patil Bhuvanesh Devidas, Suryawanshi Mayur, and J Sonal, will lend a helping hand to the district collector Balwant Singh in implementing the project. Chief advisor in the Chief Minister’s office, R Balakrishnan and 5-T secretary V K Pandian briefed the IAS probationers about their new role and responsibility.
“It is the CM’s dream project. His commitment towards the transformation of Puri reflected in his recent emotional appeal to the displaced families and vendors to sacrifice their properties for the sake of Lord Jagannath. The chief minister is also concerned about the displaced and announced the best rehabilitation and resettlement packages”, a district official said.
The role of these officers would be to look after the ongoing demolition drives around the 75-metre radius of the temple, discuss with the affected persons and deal with the files related to rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the government. They will also coordinate with different agencies for the beautification work around the temple.