___________

Following is excerpted from a story in The Week.

The Orissa government for the first time would use the Geo Filter Tube (GFT) technology in construction of sea wall to save the Satbhaya village from constant threat of sea erosion.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to lay foundation stone of the much ambitious project, estimated to cost Rs 15 crore to the state exchequer, Aul Saline division executive engineer Rajkishore Ghadei said.

Official sources said a high-level scientist team from Chennai-based Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which earlier visited the sea erosion prone Petha village under Rajnagar, had asked the district administration and the state government to erect a sea wall by using the Geo-Filter Tube technology.

Mr Ghadei … The erosion control measures, he said, would be easily solved by installation of the Geo-Filter Tube erosion barrier. Shoreline restoration is also easily achieved by the installation of the Geo- Filter Tube which acts as a natural sand filter to reduce the insecticides.

It is a low cost shoreline restoration system easy and fast to install with little or no impact on existing landscape at 25 per cent of the cost of the conventional bulkheads or sea walls.

According to Ghadei, the Geo-Filter Tube is constructed of a spun-bond polyester fabric sewn together to form a custom diameter tube. The tube is interconnected along the water-edge, then a small sand pump is used to fill the tube with the same sand and organic material that has been eroding into the lake or canal.

The final result is a long lasting fully contained sand filter barrier that would stabilise the bank from erosion and filter rainwater and irrigation run off.

The Geo-Filter Tube erosion barrier could be installed on any shoreline contour or stacked pyramid fashion to create a more substantial barrier to protect against soil erosion during heavy rains.

The Tubes are geo-textile encapsulated soils used to replace rock as conventional building blocks in marine Geo-tube wall to prevent sea erosion and hydraulic engineering structures,Ghadei.
 

Following is from a report in Business Standard.

In order to bring about a more inclusive growth in Orissa through improved transport and irrigation facilities, the World Bank has earmarked $444 million (around Rs 2,200 crore) assistance package for the state.

The package comprises three projects that will aim to improve the state’s road network (with an allocation of $250 million or Rs 1,225 crore), its agricultural tank systems ($112 or Rs 548 crore) and increase livelihood opportunities for its rural poor ($ 82.4 million or Rs 404 crore).

“The emphasis is not only to build on what has been achieved so far, but also target inclusion of the poorest of the poor,” said Roberto Zagha, World Bank country director for India, in a statement.

“These projects will bring in lessons learned from roads, tanks and livelihood projects across India and help Orissa provide its poor better access to finance, improve the efficiency of the transport systems and increase the availability of water for its farmers,” he added.

Despite doing well on economic front, especially in the mining, agriculture and services sectors, Orissa remains one of India’s poorest states with nearly half of its 38 million people living under the official poverty line, most of them in rural areas.

Under the $250 million Orissa state road project, efforts would be made to remove bottlenecks in transport corridors. The project will also increase the role of private sector in road infrastructure, and assist the state government in establishing an institutional framework in the sector.

Only 22 per cent of the state’s roads are paved, even as most village and district roads remain unconnected to the national highway system. “An efficient road transport system is critical for improving the state’s investment climate and promoting a private-sector-led economic growth,” said Binyam Reja, World Bank senior transport economist and task leader for this project.

The Orissa community tanks management project, which is worth $112 million will rehabilitate about 900 tanks covering a cultivable area of about 120,000 hectares spread across 29 districts of the state. This is expected to increase productivity in agriculture, livestock and fisheries, and promote more effective and sustainable management of tank systems.

The project will support improvements in production technologies and management practices, and better market linkages. It will also strengthen community-based institutions, enabling them to assume greater responsibility for tank management.

The Orissa rural livelihoods project aims to empower the rural poor, especially women and disadvantaged groups, through their inclusion in self-help groups (SHGs). These groups are the primary mechanism for channeling microfinance to the poor in the state. The project will also support creating new SHGs and strengthening existing groups.

Following is from a report in Expressbuzz.

The Mission Biofuels India Pvt Limited has submitted a proposal to the State Government to set up a biodiesel refinery in Orissa.

The Mumbai-based company has sought 35 hectares of land to set up the refinery at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company Asish Swaroop today met Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy at the Secretariat to discuss the proposal.

The company gave a power point presentation on the project.

The project is expected to give returns from the fourth year. It is estimated that 3 kg of jatropha yields one litre of bio-diesel, the production cost of which comes to around Rs 22. The company has invested Rs 40 crore for taking up jatropha cultivation in 12 districts of the State. The cultivation will be taken up on the land of BPL families with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) funds.

Around five lakh acres will be covered by 2011 for which a 200-member team of the company is working in Orissa to promote jatropha cultivation.

Following is  from a report in livemint.

Around 300 people would get directly absorbed in the proposed 2,000 mw thermal power plant in Orissa’s Angul district that is likely to be completed by 2014 at an investment of Rs8,000 crore, an official said Friday.

The project would be developed by the newly-formed Orissa Thermal Power Corp. Ltd (OTPCL), a joint venture of the state-owned Orissa Mining Corp. (OMC) and Orissa Hydro Power Corp. (OHPC), an official said Friday.

“Both OMC and OHPC will have equal share in equity for the Rs8,000 crore project,” said state energy minister S.N. Patro. Seventy percent of the funds would be met through loans, he said.

Both OMC and OHPC will provide Rs1,200 crore each to start the project making it the second state-owned thermal power unit.

The first thermal power plant at Ib valley was being operated in a joint venture between the Orissa Power Generation Corp. (OPGC) and the US-based Aes Powers.

Patro said the government had already identified land and “the water requirement of the proposed thermal power plant will be met by the reservoir at Rengali”, the exact location where the plant would come up in Angul.

The coal blocks posessed by OMC and OHPC would be utilised in the thermal power project, the minister added.

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=47065.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved for the six laning of following nine stretches for a total length 1409.93 km costing Rs.18238.05 crore under NHDP Phase V on DBFOT basis:

No.	Section	State	NH No.	Length	Total Project Cost including cost of LA, R&R, pre- constr. (Rs. crore)	Concession Period in-cluding construction period of 30 months
1	Delhi-Agra	UP/Haryana	2	179.10	2494.00	26 years
2	Kishangarh-Udaipur	Rajasthan	79A, 79 & 76	315	3597.47	29 years
3	Chandikhol-Jagatpur-Bhubaneshwar	Orissa	5	67.00	1104.00	27 years
4	Vijayawada-Elluru-Rajamundri	Andhra Pradesh	5	198.20	2751.15	30 years
5	Varanasi-Aurangabad	UP	2	192.40	2974.75	30 years
6	Nellore-Chilkaluripet	Andhra Pradesh	5	183.7	2433.90	30 years
7	Krishnagiri-Walahjpet	Tamil Nadu	46	148.30	1673.17	30 years
8	Belgaum-Dharwad	Karnataka	4	80.18	707.61	30 years
9	Indore-Dewas	MP	3	45.05	502.00	30 years

            The project will be developed by the NHAI through the PPP and the Concessionaire will be selected by NHAI following two stage bidding process.  The first stage of the bidding process i.e., pre-qualification of the bidders has already been completed by NHAI.  The second stage of bidding is in process.

Following is from a report in orissadiary.com.

… Sri Ghadai told the Media persons that During the Current financial year up to the month of December 3646.75 Crore has been collected. During the last year it was 3069.81 Crore. … The target of collection has been fixed to Rs. 5099.98 Crore up to the month of March. The Sales Tax officers should effort heartly to achieve the target.If it will be worked out it will be increased from 5500 to 5600 crore. The Sales Tax officers were instructed to discuss with the traders those are not filling returns. He said that the Collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) has been increased.Up to the month of December it has been collected 2745.51 Crore and it was 2226.39 during the last year . So it has been increased 23.32 percent.But this increase will reach at 25 percent. Similarly CST has been collected up to the month of December is 397.80 crore where as during the last year it was collected 368.35 crore .It shows increase of 7.99 percent.The entrance tsx has been collected 443.29 crore where as during the last year it was collected 421.50 crore.It shows increase of 5.17 percent.The profession Tax has been collected 58.57 crore as against 51.81 crore which is increase of 13.5 percent. 

Following is excerpted from a report in Indopia.

The Orissa government today formally approved investment of about Rs 35,000 crore in the power and steel sectors of the state. The high-level clearance authority (HLCA) chaired by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave green signals for the investment in five power projects and one steel unit.

… The HLCA approved investment in five proposals in the power sector and one steel project, Garg said adding that altogether the projects would provide direct employment to over 6,000 people.

The projects, which got HLCA nod were – Visaka Thermal Power Limited (1100 MW), Sahara India Private Limited (1,320 MW), L&T (1,680 MW), JSPL (1,320 MW) and Ind-Bharat Limited (700 MW).

The HLCA approved JSPL&aposs another proposal of further investment in its proposed 6mtpa steel mill at Bainda.

JSPL, which had earlier proposed to invest Rs 13,135 crore in its steel project could now invest Rs 22,420 crore.

Update2: Following is from a Pioneer report about Medicinal Plant’s garden in Patrapada.

At the Patrapada Medicinal Plants’ Garden, presently consisting of 50 species of bamboo trees, another 100 species of bamboos from across the globe will be planted.

CM Naveen Patnaik planted a Budha Belly bamboo sapling at the garden on Tuesday. He advised the high authorities of the Forest Department to develop the garden so that it can attract even international visitors.

It may be mentioned here that the garden is constructed over a land of 150 acres.

Update: Following is about Jayadev Batika on the back side of Khandagiri.

Following descriptions and pictures are from http://www.bdabbsr.in/bdaservlets/more4.jsp.

INDIRA GANDHI PARK (The old parade ground in front of the Secretariat and assembly)

Indira Gandhi Park was developed over an area of 10.60 acres of land. It is centrally located infront of Orissa Secretariat and State Assembly. Indira Gandhi Park was previously the parade ground of Bhubaneswar city, and is the place where Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi delivered her last public speech on 30th October, 1984. The park was dedicated to the public with a statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi designed and sculptured by Russian sculptor Mr. Dimitry Ryebachev and Alexander Ryebachev.

BIJU PATTNAIK PARK (Earlier called Forest Park)

Biju Pattnaik park is located in front of Capital Hospital , Unit – 6. Biju Pattnaik park has a lot of forest species, ornamental trees, flowering and foliage shrubs with a view to provide a forest in the centre of the city. A statue of one of the greatest leaders of Orissa and former Chief Minister Late Biju Pattnaik was unveiled in the park on 5th March, 2002 by Sri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Orissa and the then Union Minister Steel & Mines Sj. Ram Vilas Paswan on theauspicious occasion of Biju Pattnaik Jayanti. The park covers an area of 22.00 Ac. Of land. Multiple jogging track, colourful fountain, children play corners, rosarium, rockeries etc are the main attractions of the park.

MAHATMA GANDHI PARK (Just north of Swosti Plaza hotel)

Mahatma Gandhi park has been developed by Bhubaneswar Development Authority on a part of 27.00 Ac of Janta Maidan. The park has landscape lawn, rockeries, fountain & stream jogging track, lighting system etc. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi  sitting in the prayer position is very attractive and a number of visitors coming to Bhubaneswar pay their homage to the Father of the Nation.

BUDDHA JAYANTI PARK (Near Niladri vihar and Shailashree vihar)

Horticulture Wing in Bhubaneswar Development Authority has started functioning from April, 1987. The Wing has developed and maintaining 51 nos. of parks & open spaces in and around Bhubaneswar City , Khurda & Jatni. The major parks are:

• Indira Gandhi park
• Bijupattnaik park
• Dr. Shyamprasad Mukharjee park
• Jawaharlal Neheru park
• Jayaprakash Narayan park
• Mahatma Gandhi park
• Buddha Jayanti park
• Kharvela park
• Netaji Subash Bose park and
• Panchasakha parks at M.L.A Colony

      In addition to these there are colony parks like:

• N-1 park, Nayapalli
• N-2 park (Raju Bhaya park), Nayapalli,
• N-3 park, Nayapalli
• Pallashpalli park
• Kapilprasad park
• BJB Nagara parks
• Sahid Nagar parks
• Bhoinagar park and
• Baramunda H.B Colony park are also developed by BDA

      The parks provided with garden lighting system are open to public in the evening, they are:

• Dr. Shyamprasad Mukharjee park,
• Buddha Jayanti park
• Bijupattnaik park
• Panchasakha Park
• Indira Gandhi park
• N-1 park, Nayapalli
• N-2 park(Raju Bhaya park), Nayapalli
• N-3 park,Nayapalli
• Indradhanu Market park
• Netaji park and
• Mahatma Gandhi park

        All these parks are opened to public from 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM & 5.00 AM to 8.00 AM. These parks are provided with pathways, jogging track, benches etc. to facilitate morning & evening visitors, Bijupattnaik park, N-2 park, Nayapalli and Kudiary park at Jatni are also provided with children play equipiments. All these parks are beautifully created parks with landscape lawn, shrubbery, flower beds, trees, rosarium, hedges, water bodies, sprinkler system and two parks have Sulabha Souchalaya & public convenience. At Indira Gandhi park & Bijupattnaik park visitors can park their vehicle by paying usual parking fee.

        Horticulture Wing also give permission for commercial shooting at different parks @ Rs. 2000/- per day. BDA has also developed a large public meeting place at Janta Maidan in front of NALCO Head Office at Chandrasekharpur over an area of about 22.00 Ac. The ground rent for booking of Janta Maidan to hold any public meetings/ conference, exhibition is Rs. 15,000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand) only per day for the entire field. Organisations can also book Maidan big patch @ Rs10,000/- per day & small patch @ Rs. 5,000/- per day.

        BDA Horticulture Wing has also developed a nursery at Laxmisagar, Bhubaneswar where a number of seasonal plants, sapplings are propagated. The annual production capacity of nursery is about 50,000 sapplings of different trees, shrubs, forest species etc. Seasonal saplings are produced more than two lakhs per annunm. Sapplings are sold to the public at very reasonable price. During monsoon, sapplings are also provided to NGOs, Residential Welfare Associations, Municipalities, public and private institutions, Schools and Colleges etc. at free of cost with prior approval of authority.

The Pal Heights mall is next to the Pal Heights hotel. This mall also has a small Oxford book store. Following is from a report in Pioneer.

Spencer’s Retail Limited launched its first store in the State, in the capital city on Friday. Company’s vice-president (Operation) and business head (East) Mohit Kampani opened the store at Pal Heights.

The outlet would offer a wide range of merchandise in food and grocery, fruits, vegetables, electrical and electronics, home and office essentials, garments and fashion accessories, toys and personal care items, imported food products and a speciality section and international cuisine like Thai, Chinese and Italian organic foods counter and fish and meat counter.

Spencer’s Retail Limited also plans to open another store in Bhubaneswar by the end of March.

• Chikiti , Ganjam
  • Patisonapur, Sonapur, Katuru, Chandanbada, Ekasingi
• Gopalpur, Ganjam
  • Dhepanuapada, Sasanapada, Phasinuapada, Indrakhi, Markandi, Lohadigam, Kirtipur, Kostapeta, Kamalpur, Hatipada, Golbanda, Boxipalli, Venketraipur, Gopalpur (NAC)
• Chhatrapur, Ganjam
  • Uppalaputi, Kalipalli, Basanaputi, Matikhala, Arjyapali, Humuribana, Podapadar, Agastinuagan, Jimi, Damodarpurpankalo, Ganjam (NAC), Pallibandha, Gokharakuda, Mayurapada, Jayamangalahil, Kantiagada, Nuagambarapalli, Padagadajhatipadar, Palurgada, Madhusudanpur, Prayagi
• Brahmagiri, Puri
  • Anikarapur, Nandala, Ramalenka, Brahmandeo, Hunjan, Pitisal, Baliapokhari, Udaygiri, Fatepur, Naba, Nababeatarea, Siandi, Gopalpur, Ora, Noliapatna, Jamuna, Alanda, Alandapatna, Titipia, Balianala, Mithakua, Nuapada, Deulapada, Biripadar, Kamalasing, Patharkata, Patanasi, Jharakata, Khirisahi, Kharisahi, Janhikuda, Bhabanipur, Parla, Gurubai, Berhampur, Maensa, Gopinathpurpatna, Alupatna, Satapada, Bankijala, Baghamunda, Sipakudapatna, Chandramara, Pirijipur, Banamalipurpatna, Mirjapur, Manika, Padanpur, Anandpur, Bhagbanpur, Manikpatna, Rameswarpur, Arakhakuda, Jenapur, Hasimpur, Sipasurubili, Narasinghpurpatna, Gorual
• Puri
  • Puri town, Balukhanda, Mohanipur, Beldal, Batulia Kesharpur, Bhimapur, Batulibhuan, Chhaitana
• Kakatpur, Puri
  • Gadabangor, Bangar, Sutan, Khalakata, Sahukbanata, Konark NAC, Dudhiabar, Jamara, Godhanpada, Abadan, Singharpal, Chhenua, Udaykani, Tandahar, Keutajanga, Rahakhandol, Daluakani, Chhuriana, Gundalaba, Sudikeswar, Sahana, Nanpur, Nuagarh, RIVER
• Balikuda-Ersama, Jagatsinghpur
  • RIVER, Badabali,  Dhanuhar Belari, Mankadakhia, Nadiakhia, Kusupur, Harispurgarh, Sahadabedi, RIVER, Padampur,  Jatadhartanda, Barkuda, Gadakujanga, Noliasahi, Polanga, Nuagaon, Gobindpur, Dhinikia, MUHANA, Abhayachandapur, Kansaripatia
• Paradeep, Jagatsinghpur
  •  Paradeep, Boitarakuda, Kaudia
• Mahakalapada, Kendrapada
  •  Hetamundia, Hukitola, Kansaridah, Baligarh, Bhitara-Kharinasi, Kharinasi, Jamboo, Kandara Pata, Banapada, Odiasala, Paunsiapal, Baro, Suniti, Chaulidiah
• Rajanagar, Kendrapada
  • Barunei muhana, Harishpur, Karanjia, Gohipur, Jurapanga, Bikeikani, Teisimouza, BaghaDiha, Paramandapur, Mohanpur, Govindapur, Kanhupur, Satavaya, Badagahiramatha, Kaduanasi, Sanagahiramatha, Habelichintamanipur, RIVER, Pravati, Ahirajpur, Sailendrasahi, Kantiakhai, Suravi, Rajapatna, Jyotiprasad, Birabhanjapur, Tikatatnagar, Talchua, Rajendranagar, Rajeswarinagar, Sailendranagar, Kanaknagar, Krishnanagar, Baghua, Subarnapur, Trilochanpur, Kamalpur, Saradaprasad, Dangamal, Nalitapatia, Govindpur, RIVER
•  Chandbali, Bhadrakh
  • RIVER, Kasturikana, Dhrubapahalipur, Rajendrapali, Rajarajeswarpali, Dakshinadhamara, Smal Wheeler, Jayadurgapatna, Jyosnamayee, Sabitrisarai, Amarnagar, Rabindranagar, Dosinga, Balisahi, Dhamara port, Coconat Island, Saratprasad, Kishoreprasad, Gouraprasad, Hrudayaprasad, Karanjamal, Narendrapur, Dhanakuta, Baincha, Kuamara, Karanapalli, Bijaypatna
• Basudevpur, Bhadrakh
  • Nandapatna, Balimunda, Badahabelisahi, Sanahabelisahi, Bideipur, Krushnapur, Kismatkrushnapur, Basudevpur (NAC), Chudamani port, RIVER, Adhuan, Eram, Kantipur, Kumarpur, Mohanpur, RIVER
• Soro, Balasore
  •  Kharasahpur, Kheranga, Maharudrapur, Balisahi
• Remuna, Balasore
  • Talapada, RIVER, Inchudi, Deulabad, Kantarda, Khadu, Rasalpur, Bhimpur, Kusumuli, Jayadebkasapa, Jayadevkasba, Nidhipada, Gudu, Hidigan
• Balasore
  • Chandipur, Budhbalanga river mouth, Srikona, Parikhi, Bagda, Dubulagadi, Sartha, Kasafal muhana, Kasafal
• Basta, Balasore
  • Jambhirai, Jamunasul, Chandamani, Aladiha, Balibil, Betagadia, Narayanpur, Dagara, Chaumukha, Kirtania port, Subarnarekha RIVER
• Bhograi, Balasore
  • Subarnarekha RIVER, Rasalpur, Kumbhirgari, Kirtaniajalpahi, N. M. Padia, Chandrabali,  Narayan Mohanty Padia, Talasari beach, SAND

Following is from a report in Business Standard.

The State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) headed by Orissa chief secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy today approved 2 thermal power projects with combined investment of Rs 16,140 crore.

This includes 1680 Mw thermal power project proposed by L &T with an investment of Rs 10,200 crore near Dhamra in Bhadrakh district and 1000Mw thermal power plant proposed by Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) at Bainda in the Dhenkanal district with an investment of Rs 5940 crore.

SLSWCA, which considered 10 proposals in the power and steel sector today approved 2 proposals, rejected two proposals while deferring its decision on the remaining 6 proposals.

The two proposals which were rejected are Surya Chakra Power Company proposing to set up a thermal power plant at Balasore and Adhunik power proposing a thermal power plant at Banto in Bhadrakh district.

Talking to the media after the meeting, A K Meena, managing director, Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation Ltd.(Ipicol) said, due to the non availability of water in different locations some proposals have either been rejected or deferred.

He said, SLSWCA approved the proposal of the L&T Ltd. subject to the condition that the company will use sea water for its plant. Besides, it will have to withdraw the case filed against Orissa government regarding the iron ore lease. It has been suggested that the company will be allowed to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government only after it meets the above two conditions. Similarly, SLSWCA recommended the proposal of the JSPL for setting up a thermal power plant subject to the participation of the company in the creation of water storage capacity in river Mahanadi. The proposals which were deferred are those of Tuff Energy, Tata Sponge Iron Ltd., JR Power Gen Ltd., Poysa Power Project Ltd., Jindal India Thermal Power (capacity expansion) and Lanco group (capacity expansion).

As per this page in the document prepared by IIT Kharagpur the population of the above complex in 2008 is 1.9 million.

Following is excerpted from a report in Economic Times.

… Bamboo, one of the most important forest produces in Orissa, is mostly used as raw material for the paper industry. However, it has great potential in Orissa for its multiple uses if managed well. Orissa has 9% of the country’s total bamboo forest cover and 7% of total growing stock of bamboo.

According to a study done by the Beijing-based International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, the market potential of bamboo and bamboo products from Orissa is more than Rs 600 crore per annum. This could increase at double the existing rate at 3.9%.

The state will require to produce 6.45 lakh tonne of raw bamboo every year to meet the demand of increasing market of bamboo. The state produces only 1.8 lakh tonne per annum. Bamboo in forest areas of Orissa grows as a mixed crop associated with sal and other species.

The mixed bamboo forest area is spread over about 17,795 sq km and pure bamboo forest (occurring mostly as bamboo brakes) is about 375 sq km. There are about 13 species of bamboo available in the state. The study says some 13 lakh villagers, most of them tribal, are directly dependent on bamboo production and business related to bamboo and its products.

“The maximum annual earning from current livelihood options — working in agricultural land, as labour and making bamboo handicrafts — in the surveyed villages is Rs 10,000. “Involvement in bamboo plantation and primary processing of bamboo by tribal communities can provide additional incomes up to Rs 12,000 per year. The potential of bamboo as a sustainable livelihood solution to the community in Orissa is thus a reality,” according to the study.

Orissa Bamboo Development Agency (OBDA) with support from National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and National Mission on Bamboo Application (NMBA) has already started promoting many alternative uses of bamboo like house building materials, particle boards, corrugated sheets, mat boards, ply boards, handicrafts, furniture, energy and charcoal, textile fibre and food.

The fresh young shoots (karadis in local name) procured from the forests by the tribals are also used as food and for adding taste and flavour in many regular dishes (after drying, locally known as hendua). Besides, most of the species of bamboo available in the state have edible shoots.

These shoots are of very high nutritional value, with low fat and considerable content of fibre, vitamins, and cellulose and amino acids, which make them a food item with great market potential. Meanwhile, OBDA has joined hands with Xavier Institute of management to explore the potential of bamboo and bamboo products from within and outside the state, according to Prof Neeraj Kumar, a faculty of rural management.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the Union ministry of civil aviation will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Orissa government very soon for the development of a second airport in the state at Jharsuguda.

"We have already submitted the draft MoU to the state government and discussed the matter with the Orissa Chief Secretary for the development of the proposed airport at Jharsuguda", said PK Singhal, executive director, AAI (eastern region). At present, the state has only one full-fledged airport in Bhubaneswar.

He, however, said the commencement and completion of the new airport depends on the availability of land from the state government. Around 90 acres of land was required for the development of the airport at the industrial town of in south Orissa.

AAI would invest about Rs 80crore in the first phase of the project while the investment in the second phase would depend on the traffic of the airport, he stated.

… Singhal, however, ruled out any other proposal to develop or upgrade airstrips in the state to a full-fledged airport apart from Jharsuguda. “We have not received any other proposal from the government for the development of airport in the state apart from Jharsuguda", he said.

There are 16 airstrips and 12 helipads in the state for landing of aircrafts and helicopters.

There is also a plan to install radars in Jharsuguda. Following is an excerpt from a report in Hindu.

In a bid to strengthen security in the wake of Mumbai terror attack, Airport Authority of India will soon install three monopulse secondary surveillance radars (MSSR) in Orissa and West Bengal.

… The radars would be installed in Kolkata and Raniganj in West Bengal and Jharsuguda in Orissa for proper surveillance of aircraft moving in the region, Mr Singhal said.

At present only one MSSR is functioning here in Orissa’s Ganjam district since 1992.

The radar installed at Berhampur is capable of making surveillance up to 400 km in air path and functions without an airport, he said.

They are:

• Approval of Chakulia-Buramarra line with an estimate of 468 crores.
• Proposal of a line via Banki for goods trains. (A line from Naraj to Banki to Khurda will form a circular Railway around greater Bhubaneswar.)

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

Indian Railways has planned major infrastructure facilities like freight nodal points, container park and a coaching complex to cater to the proposed Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region in Paradeep.

… Mr KC Jena chairman of Railway Board said that “Paradeep is poised to emerge as one of the major industrial hubs in Orissa and it is also the site for the proposed PCPIR in the state. A master plan is being prepared for the Paradeep region and according to this plan, the Railways will set up infrastructure facilities like freight nodal points, container park and a coaching complex.”

Mr Jena said that the Railways is also committed to boost connectivity in the Paradeep region which includes the 82 kilometer Paradeep to Haridaspur broad gauge line, being taken up at an investment of INR 577.78 crore. East Coast Railway has acquired 1,146 acres of private land out of the total of 1,653 acres of land required for the project. This project being implemented by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is scheduled for completion by March 2011.

… On the 290 kilometer Khurda Road to Bolangir project, Mr Jena said that “Work is already in progress for the first 36 kilometer stretch of the project and the fund for the second phase of the project is likely to be sanctioned in this year’s railway budget.” He added that the project had suffered delay due to land acquisition problems and a fast track committee for railway projects formed under the chairmanship of the Orissa Chief Secretary was making efforts to expedite the process of land acquisition.

Mr Jena added that the overall outlay for the various railway projects in Orissa stood at INR 1,049 crore in 2008-09, compared to INR 764 crore in the previous fiscal and the sanctioned figure excludes the projects being implemented by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.

Following is an excerpt from a report in domain-b.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s largest exporter of information technology and IT-backed products, has opened a 1,000-seat software development centre at Bhubaneswar – TCS Kalinga Park – as the company extends its presence to Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

…  Spread over 45 acres of land, TCS Kalinga Park will have a capacity of 7,000 seats at full capacity, he added.

With over 70 per cent of campus hiring at TCS taking place at Tier II and Tier III cities, these centres will drive growth for the company,  he said.

TCS Kalinga Park, an approved special export zone (SEZ), also boasts of the country’s first Energy and Environmental Design (Leed)-rated IT campus.

Planning Commission secretary S Pani, who was instrumental in providing a boost to the IT sector in Orissa, said Bhubaneswar has the potential to become a major IT hub with at least 50,000 software developers.

The Tata Group, which has so far invested in a Ginger hotel and the TCS software development centre in Orissa, will also be investing in a mega-steel plant in the state.

”Orissa, regarded as a late starter in the nineties had emerged as a favored IT destination due to the congenial work environment and effective policy initiatives, ” said chief minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating the TSC Kalinga Park.

The chief minister also said the state government will soon get into the e-governance mode for all procurement and tendering processeses.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

The State Bank of India (SBI), the largest bank in the country, has picked up 19.7 per cent equity in Orissa-based Mayfair Hotels and Resorts (MHRL) through a private equity (PE) deal.

The deal was for 37,33,333 shares with a face value of Rs 10 each. … As a result, the subscribed equity base of the company has increased to 1,89,33,333 shares from 1,52,00,000 shares previously. Post-deal, the promoters’ share will be 80 per cent.

… Dilip Ray, chairman and the managing director of MHRL, said. He said, the company plans to hit the capital market with an initial public offer (IPO) in about 24 to 36 months after utilisation of the proceeds of the 19.7 percent equity issued to SBI. The timing of the IPO will depend on the market condition. The group is in the process of executing a Rs 260-crore expansion plan. While the company intends to raise about Rs 124-150 crore from the proposed IPO, the borrowing component is likely to be about Rs 65 to 75 crore. The remaining funds will be mobilised in the form of internal accruals. The new 5-star deluxe property of Mayfair Gangtok, developed by a subsidiary, is expected to be commissioned by March 2009.

Meanwhile, the company has forayed into western India tourist circuit through acquisition of of an existing 32-room hotel at Betul Beach in Goa. This unit will be operational by September 2009 after refurbishment and upgradation to a 5-star boutique at an investment of about Rs 25 crore.

MHRL has been achieving an annual growth of 22 per cent for the past four years and has completed the expansion of its four operative properties at Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela and Darjeeling by adding 52 rooms with additional facilities. Post-expansion, MHRL will have an inventory of 600 rooms spread over 12 properties in ten locations, sources said. It intends to add three properties at Puri (second unit), Cuttack and Chilika, which will add 134 rooms to the inventory. Since land for these projects are available, Cuttack and Puri properties are expected to be operational by June 2010. Similarly, Chilika property is expected to be operational by September 2010. The land acquisition for the Paradeep and Jharsuguda property will be taken up in 2011 and the entire process of expansion will be completed by June 2011, sources added.

The company achieved a turnover of Rs 48.5 crore in 2007-08 with a net profit of Rs 9.27 crore. Despite the slowdown, it hopes to achieve a turnover of Rs 60 crore in 2008-09 with expected net profit of Rs13 crore.

“Nowhere the slowdown has impacted our business. We have 100 per cent occupancy in our Bhubaneswar, Puri and Rourkela property,” Ray added.

Following is an excerpt from a report in tathya.in.

… Mr.Agarwal impressed upon the Chief Minister that his group is eager to expand the .50 million ton smelter in Jharsuguda to a 1.6 million ton per annum (MTPA). 

Naveen Patnaik, asked the Chief Secretary to look into the matter finalize the expansion program, said sources. 

Mr.Agarwal updated the Chief Minister about the status of Vedanta’s ongoing projects in the state here on 3 January..

The Alumina Project at Lanjigarh, Smelter and Power Projects at Jharsuguda and the University project at Puri is being implemented by the Vedanta group.

On Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) front, adoption of 400 anganwadis, providing education for 14000 children at Kalahandi are being implemented, briefed Mr.Agarwal.

Mr. Agarwal agreed to extend the coverage to 40000 children and agreed to introduce the Mid Day Meal scheme for 30000 primary and the secondary level school student in the state through Nandi and Sterlite Foundation as the Chief Minister requested him.

He also announced a 100 bedded state-of-the-art multi-speciality hospital at Jharsuguda will provide medical facility to the local people.

Chairman Vedanta group reiterated his earlier commitment to build a 1000 bedded super-specialty hospital at Puri.

It was also informed that the design and the engineering has been completed and construction is to begin soon.

In addition Mr Agarwal put forth his plans of setting up of a downstream Aluminium Park in collaboration with the government to promote as many as 600 small and medium scale industries at Jharsuguda. 

The project will generate large scale employment opportunities and additional economic activities in the region.

Currently the Vedanta Group’s investment commitments are in excess of Rs 50,000 crores, half of which has already been invested in various projects of Orissa.

Vedanta is presently generating a huge number of direct and indirect employment for approximately 25000 people, eighty percent of which belong to the state of Orissa.

After the meeting the CM, Mr Agarwal told reporters that all the ongoing projects of Vedanta would continue as per schedule in spite of the recent global recession.

He also assured that in his personal capacity he would make all possible efforts to complete the Vedanta University Project, a world class University at par with the Havard and Stanford University of U,S.A.

He has already committed personal contribution of Rs 5000 crore towards this project.

Note, that Jajpur-Rd Duburi is also being 4-laned. With all these 4-laning, Kalinganagar area will be surrounded by four 4-lane segment: NH-5, NH-200, NH-215 and Jajpur Rd-Duburi.

(The above map fragment is from an wikipedia map.)

There will also be two four lane paths from Kalinganagar area to Rourkela.

 With approved plans to four-lane NH 42 between Angul and Sambalpur, the state govt. needs to four lane the segment between Angul and Talcher to have a seamless 4-lane transition between NH-42 and NH-200 at Angul-Talcher.

There is plan to four-lane Bhubaneswar-Puri. The Orissa government should pursue the four-laning of the following:

• NH-42 from Cuttack to Angul
• NH-23 from Talcher to NH-6

The Orissa government should team up with Jharkhand to 4-lane

• NH-23 from Rourkela to Ranchi
• NH-83 from Jamshedpur to NH-6
• NH-5 between NH-6 and Balasore (the last two need for port access in the upcoming ports in the Balasore district)

The Orissa government should team up with West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Maharashtra for four-laning NH-6 completely.

These actions will 4-lane the upper part of Orissa with fairly direct 4-lane paths from many areas of Orissa to Delhi and Mumbai. (Fairly direct 4-lane connections exist between Orissa to the south and Kolkata.)

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=46329.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for the development of 4 laning of (i) Panikoili-Keonjhar-Rimouli, (ii) Rimouli-Roxy-Rajmundra sections of NH-215 and (iii) Chandikhole-Duburi-Talcher Section of NH-200 in the State of Orissa under NHDP Phase III A on BOT Basis.

The project cost of (i) Panikoili-Keonjhar-Rimouli section (163 km) is estimated as Rs.1170.59 crore including Rs.84.40 crore towards Land Acquisition (LA), Rehabilitation and Resettlement and preconstruction. Similarly, the estimated cost for Rimouli-Roxy-Rajmundra (106 km) and Chandikhole-Duburi-Talcher Section (133 km) are Rs.849.05 crore and Rs.969.63 crore respectively. The cost towards LA, R&R and preconstruction of other two projects are Rs.195.29 crore and Rs.185.63 crore respectively. The Government would provide the viability gap funding (VGF), which would not exceed 40% of the total project cost excluding the cost of LA, R&R and pre-construction.

The project will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) through the Private Sector Concessionaires who will be selected by NHAI following two stage bidding process. The first stage of the bidding process i.e. pre-qualification of the bidders has already been completed by NHAI. The second stage of bidding process is in progress.

The Concession period for the Panikoili-Keonjhar-Rimouli section will be 20 years. For Chandikhole-Duburi-Talcher Section and Rimouli-Roxy-Rajmundra section the concession period is 18 and 25 years respectively.

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