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Thursday 29 March, 2012

Gammon Infra bags Rs 778 cr contract from NHAI in Odisha

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A report from Business Standard

Gammon Infrastructure Projects today said it has bagged a Rs 778.15 crore project from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for upgrading a section of NH-23 in Orissa.

"The company has received the letter of award for the rehabilitation and upgradation of Birmitrapur to Barkote section of NH-23 in Orissa," Gammon Infrastructure Projects (GIPL) said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The award for upgrading about 125 km stretch was received under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) phase IV.

The project will be implemented on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) mode on BOT toll basis.

"The project cost as estimated by NHAI, is Rs 778.15 crore. The company will receive a grant of Rs 311 crore during the construction period of the project," it said.

The concession period of the project is 23 years, including a construction period of 2.5 years.

Shares of GIPL today closed at Rs 15.60 apiece, up 4.70% over their previous close on the BSE.

CDP in papers , when will Rourkela develop?

free counters A report from SAMBAD about the reality of CDP

Hamirpur endangered by Koel River

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A report from SAMBAD

IGH docs felicitated for performance

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Daily Pioneer Reports

Ispat General Hospital (IGH) Director-in-Charge (M&HS) Dr SK Mishra felicitated a team of doctors of the hospital who came out with flying colours in the 33rd All India Steel Medical Officer’s Conference (AISMOC) held at Visakha Steel General Hospital, Visakhapatnam in February last.

Dr Mishra said AISMOC is the best platform for dissemination of knowledge and ideas related to medical advancement. He congratulated the doctors for their outstanding performance in the conference. Director (M&HS) Dr BB Rao was also present.

The scientific papers presented by the IGH doctors were highly appreciated in the conference. Dr Sanjaya Kumar Tiwary, Consultant, Orthopedics bagged the second best paper during the event. The crowning glory of the event was the Gold Medal bagged by Dr Saroj Rout, Senior Medical Officer and Dr B Singh, Medical Officer, for “Medi Quiz–2012” competition where doctors from all the steel sectors of the country competed. Dr PK Satpathy, Senior Deputy Director, IGH coordinated the programme.

It is noteworthy that, AISMOC, which started in 1980 at the IGH for the first time, is held every year in different locations of the country to apprise the doctors of the State- of-the-art technology for providing better quality treatment to the patients. It is also trying to keep pace with the latest development in the field of medical technology to reach out to the patients with latest treatment facilities.

Tuesday 27 March, 2012

Western Odisha districts top in State growth rate

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Daily Pioneer reports

Sundargarh district posted the highest growth of 17.9 per cent followed by industrial hub Jharsuguda with an average growth of 10.9 per cent.

The same growth pattern is more or less reflected in per capita incomes of districts with Angul wresting the top slot at Rs 20,500 followed by Jharsuguda Rs 19,800 and Sundargarh Rs 15,700. On the whole, the State with a per capita income of Rs 25,708 in 2010-11, is gradually closing in the gap with the national average. Its per capita income is projected at Rs 26,900 in 2011-12.

Latest data contained in the Economic Survey for 2011-12 has predicted growth of Odisha’s GDP at 7.18 per cent for the current fiscal as against the national average of 6.9 per cent. Quick estimates have pegged the State’s growth at 8.60 per cent in 2010-11 at 2004-05 prices.

The State economy has grown in real terms at 2004-05 prices at an average annual rate of 8.49 per cent in the first four years of the 11th Plan despite global economic slowdown. The agriculture sector which supports more than 60 per cent of the State’s population has grown at the rate of 4.12 per cent in the first four years of the 11th Plan.

Industrial sector which has 26 per cent share in the State’s economy has posted growth of 9.12 per cent in this period while services sector has witnessed the highest growth at 9.86 per cent.

On the poverty index, the State has shown perceptible improvement with the key economic indicator plunging from 39.90 per cent in 2004-05 to 29.69 per cent in 2009-10 as per NSS (National Sample Survey) data of the 66th round.

However, widespread regional and social disparities have been noticed in development. In public finance sector, the State has been able to contain fiscal deficit at 0.34 per cent of the GDP in 2010-11compared to 1.38 per cent in 2009-10.

This has been achieved through lower growth of revenue expenditure and increase in revenue receipts. Fiscal deficit, has, however, been budgeted at 2.5 per cent of the GDP in 2011-12. Capital expenditure has gone up from Rs 5,733 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 6,683 crore in 2010-11.

The debt-GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) ratio has also been scaled down from 55.92 per cent at the end of 2002-03 to a more sustainable level of 20.07 per cent by the end of 2010-11. Advances estimates for 2011-12 predict that agriculture would account for 16.46 per cent of the GSDP while services and industrial sector would have a share of 57.34 per cent and 26.20 per cent, respectively.

Encroachment Impact: Rourkela Municipality seeks land from RSP!!

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A report from SAMBAD

Dust pollution alarming in steel city

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New Indian Express reports

ROURKELA: Dust pollution in Rourkela city has been showing a worrying trend for the past few years. With road expansion works being taken up, the problem of dust pollution has aggravated, exposing its citizens to grave health hazards. Coupled with emissions from vehicles, the dust particles form a toxic haze that hangs over the atmosphere for a long period.

Two of these road expansion projects are moving at a snail’s pace for nearly three years now. To worsen the situation, seldom is water sprinkling done to keep the problem under control.

In view of the development needs of the ever-growing Rourkela city, several road expansion works have been initiated simultaneously by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Rourkela Municipality. Even after almost three years, the Hanuman Vatika-Hockey Square and Panposh-Uditnagar four-lane projects are still to be completed.

Moreover, the existing main road at Chhend Colony along with other arterial roads have been dug up. Similar works are being carried out at the Koel Nagar and Labour Tenement area and other parts of the city.

In particular, the Basanti Colony road-over-bridge ending at Uditnagar has made life miserable with passing vehicles kicking up clouds of dust incessantly.

Former municipal chairman Ramesh Bal said the civic body had spent ` 13 lakh last year towards water sparkling, without actually doing it. He also held the PWD responsible for the inconvenience as the majority of the ongoing projects are executed by the PWD. PWD Executive Engineer UC Mishra said the contractors avoid water sprinkling to save costs. Former municipal chairman and Jan Kalyan Sangathan president Narendra Tripathy also resented the callous attitude of the PWD. He said two months back, despite repeated requests from the people of Uditnagar water sprinkling was not done.

Sunday 25 March, 2012

Finally RDSC wakes to Railway Division

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In a move which will make Rourkelites smile, Rourkela Development Steering Committee (RDSC), a host of political and apolitical organizations has demanded the creation of a Railway Division at Rourkela , under East Coast Railways.

Here is a report from Sambad on the issue

Friday 23 March, 2012

Wednesday 21 March, 2012

Sundargarh MP shatters the hopes of Sundargarh

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In a really disheartening incident, MP from Sundargarh Shri Hemananda Biswal failed to represent the genuine railway demands of the district before the Railway Minister and the Lower House.

Taking part in the discussion, this evening,the MP lost his valuable time in speaking about budget allocation to Odisha, completion of Khurda-Bolangir Railway Line and Doubling of Jharsuguda-Sambalpur Railway Line.

He completely forgot the constituency he is representing there.

The only positive thing he spoke was the connectivity of Rourkela to Delhi and South India. Further he was demanding the stoppage of Express Trains at Bisra, when he was stopped by Chairperson Shri Satpal Maharaj, because he had run out of his allocated time.

The Chairperson told him that the statements he had not made in his allotted time were not recorded.

This person has failed to represent the demands of Sundargarh. Talcher-Bimalagarh route and Rourkela Railway Division are missing from his list.

Hence he should resign immedietly

Rourkela to have India's second largest Krishi Vigyan Kendra

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Here is an extract from SAMBAD regarding the construction of India's second largest Agricultural Research Institute at Rourkela

Survey for Rajiv Awas Yojana to kick off

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A report from Dainik Jagran

राउरकेला, जागरण संवाददाता : इस्पात नगरी राउरकेला के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में बसी 115 बस्तियों के लोगों के लिए राजीव आवास योजना लागू करने पर नगरपालिका की ओर से काम जारी रखा गया है। शहर में 12 बस्तियां की सरकारी जमीन पर बसी हैं जिनमें इस योजना को प्राथमिकता दी जायेगी। पहले चरण में नगरपालिका की ओर से बस्तियों में रहने वाले परिवारों का सर्वेक्षण किया गया था अब बस्तियों की स्थिति पर सर्वेक्षण तथा लोगों को इसके प्रति जागरूक करने की जिम्मेदारी भुवनेश्वर की एनजीओ को सौंपी गई है। मंगलवार को नगरपालिका के अधिकारियों व एनजीओ के प्रतिनिधियों के बीच इस मुद्दे पर विस्तार से चर्चा की गई। बुधवार से एनजीओ का सर्वे का काम शुरू होगा।

राउरकेला नगरपालिका में राजीव आवास योजना लागू करने के लिए सर्वेक्षण का काम किया गया था। इसमें बीपीएल परिवार व राजीव आवास योजना में शामिल होने के योग्य परिवारों के संबंध में जानकारी संग्रह की गई थी। शहर की 115 बस्तियां रेलवे, वन विभाग, आरएसपी, नगरपालिका तथा अन्य जमीन पर बसी हैं। जिससे योजना के क्रियान्वयन के लिए कई बाधायें आ सकती हैं। राजीव आवास योजना पर घर राज्य सरकार की जमीन पर ही तैयार की जा सकती है ऐसे में एजीओ, एचडीआई भुवनेश्वर के द्वारा सर्वेक्षण कर यह स्पष्ट करेगी कि कौन सी बस्ती किसकी जमीन पर बसी है। आवास योजना लागू करने के दौरान बस्ती वासियों को उसी स्थान पर बसाया जायेगा या अन्यत्र। एनजीओ के सर्वेक्षण एवं नगरपालिका सर्वे के साथ मिलाकर नया रिपोर्ट तैयार किया जायेगा एवं इसे राज्य सरकार के पास भेजा आयेगा। मंगलवार को नगरपालिका में एनजीओ के साथ हुई बैठक में इस पर विस्तार से चर्चा की गई। इसमें एनजीओ एचडीआई भुवनेश्वर प्रमुख अननिंदा दास, नगरपालिका के ईओ विजय कुमार स्वाई, चेयरमैन रश्मिबाला मिश्र, नगरपालिका ईई मनोरंजन दास समेत अन्य अधिकारी मौजूद थे।

Monday 19 March, 2012

Rourkela civic body okays Rs 84.51-crore Budget

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New Indian Express reports

ROURKELA: The Rs 84.51-crore budget of Rourkela Municipality for 2012-13 was finally approved on Saturday. Earlier, the Opposition councillors had boycotted the first budget session three days back, objecting to anomalies regarding expenditure figures of 2011-12.

Sources said the budget estimate for 2012-13 was approved after the BJD-led council admitted to wrong expenditure entries under certain overheads and addressed other concerns of Opposition councillors.

BJD Vice-Chairman R N Mishra said the thrust will be on completing major road works, streetlights, sanitation and other development projects.

Earlier, Congress and BJP members on Thursday had made noisy scenes as the income and expenditure statement of the budget estimates had disparities. In the absence of satisfactory reply, they boycotted the budget meeting which was deferred to Saturday.

Former municipal chairman and Congress member Ramesh Bal had accused the BJD-led council of supplying wrong information regarding expenditures. Bal claimed anomalies were detected in urban housing scheme and in urban electrification there was no mention of last year’s expenditure against fund allocation of ` 1.25 crore.

Friday 16 March, 2012

State’s first solar plant sealed after land row

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Daily Pioneer reports

The district administration of Sambalpur sealed the first solar power plant at Haripada village in Bamra Tehsil in Kuchinda subdivision for lacking valid land documents. The unit had been inaugurated on March 11.

“We sealed the solar power plant as the company didn’t submit valid papers for its land. We are further verifying if the land has been converted to non-agricultural status,” said Kuchinda Sub Collector Sayad Mahemmad Akdas.

Sources said Jay Iron and Steel Ltd, a company from Rourkela, set up the solar power plant of 1 MW capacity at Haripada at an expenditure of `15 crore. It is one of the eight solar power plants in the State.

“Sixty firms had applied to set up solar power plants in the State. But the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) short-listed only 20 from them. However, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy selected only eight of them, of which the Haripada unit was one,” informed Jay Iron and Steels Limited MD Sunil Agrawal.

As per an agreement, GRIDCO was to purchase energy from the company for 25 years. At the same time, WESCO would distribute the energy,” informed Agrawal. The equipment for the solar power plants was supplied and erected by Vikram Solar (P) Ltd in technical collaboration with Pronear, a company of Spain. Engineers from Spain came to set up the power plant which took five months to complete the project. Entire power generated through solar cells had been fed into 11 KV grid of WESCO at Bamra, he added.

“If after verification of the land documents, the papers would be found authentic, then we would allow the plant to function,” said the sub-collector.

“We sealed the solar power plant as the company didn’t submit valid papers for its land. We are further verifying if the land has been converted to non-agricultural status,” said Kuchinda Sub Collector Sayad Mahemmad Akdas.

Sources said Jay Iron and Steel Ltd, a company from Rourkela, set up the solar power plant of 1 MW capacity at Haripada at an expenditure of `15 crore. It is one of the eight solar power plants in the State.

“Sixty firms had applied to set up solar power plants in the State. But the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) short-listed only 20 from them. However, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy selected only eight of them, of which the Haripada unit was one,” informed Jay Iron and Steels Limited MD Sunil Agrawal.

As per an agreement, GRIDCO was to purchase energy from the company for 25 years. At the same time, WESCO would distribute the energy,” informed Agrawal. The equipment for the solar power plants was supplied and erected by Vikram Solar (P) Ltd in technical collaboration with Pronear, a company of Spain. Engineers from Spain came to set up the power plant which took five months to complete the project. Entire power generated through solar cells had been fed into 11 KV grid of WESCO at Bamra, he added.

“If after verification of the land documents, the papers would be found authentic, then we would allow the plant to function,” said the sub-collector.

Bimlagarh-Talcher link gets paltry Rs 30 Crore

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New Indian Express reports

ROURKELA: There’s nothing to cheer about in the Rail Budget with only Rs 30 crore being reportedly assigned for the Bimlagarh-Talcher rail link proposed to boost industrialisation in Sundargarh and adjoining districts.

BJD’s rail development steering committee convenor Sailendra Marothia said it would cost around Rs 825 crore to lay nearly 154 km of fresh tracks between Bimlagarh and Talcher. Spadework is underway over 25 km from Talcher, he added.

Visibly disappointed, Rourkela unit BJD president AC Mohanty said, so far Rs 80 crore has been allocated for the project since 2004-05 and that too in instalments varying from Rs 1 to 30 crore. Under the prevailing circumstances, they were unsure about the fate of the project, he added.

Former president of Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Subrata Patnaik said the new rail corridor, which would be the shortest link between Paradip port and mineral-rich districts, would boost industrial growth. The four-decade-old project covers around 325 km from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela via Sundargarh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal and Angul districts.

The CPM organised a token demonstration at the Rourkela station on Thursday protesting the indifferent attitude of the Railway Ministry.

The budget includes introduction of four weekly trains, Bilaspur-Patna, Asansol-Chennai, Shalimar-Bhuj and Malda Town-Surat express trains along with Secunderabad-Dharbhanga Express via Rourkela.

The Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar Rajya Rani Express has been extended to Rourkela.

Wednesday 14 March, 2012

Overview of Sundargarh in the Railway Budget 2012-2013

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SURVEY FOR NEW LINES

Ambikapur to Jharsuguda to connect it with Delhi mainline.

Ambikapur to Jharsuguda via Batuali Sitapur, Pathalgaon, Kotba.

Extension of rail link from Roxy siding to Basnpani via Koira

Kiriburu to Barbil





DOUBLING WORKS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2011-2012

Dumetra-Champajharan

DOUBLING PROJECTS TO BE SANCTIONED IN 2012-2013

Manoharpur – Bandamuda(Bondamunda) 3rd Line

NEW TRAIN SERVICES

Secunderabad-Darbhanga Express (Bi-weekly) via Ballarshah, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Ranchi, Jhajha

Bilaspur-Patna Express (Weekly) via Asansol, Jhajha

Shalimar-Bhuj Express(Weekly) via Bilaspur,Katni,Bhopal

Asansol-Chennai Express (Weekly) via Purulia, Sambalpur,Vizianagaram

Malda Town-Surat Express ( Weekly) via Rampur Hat, Asansol, Nagpur

EXTENSION OF TRAINS

18417/18418 Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda Rajya Rani Express to Rourkela

18005/18006 Howrah-Koraput Express to Jagdalpur