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Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

The traffic woes of the people commuting between Rasulgarh and Samantarapur are likely to come to an end with the construction of the proposed 11km bypass road from Bhuasuni temple to Daya bridge.

Part of the 67.25km NH-203 project, the bypass road will not only provide better and faster communication facilities to the people of 11 villages from Pandra to the Daya bridge near Lingipur, but also help commuters between Cuttack and Puri avoid the congested capital. The project will be undertaken by the Bhubaneswar Expressway Pvt. Ltd, for which tenders have been finalised.

Project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Aditya Kumar Ray said the bypass road has been proposed specifically to address the traffic problem on the stretch from Rasulgarh and Samntarapur. …

… Ray said though the work is supposed to start from January 30, land acquisition problems were likely to cause some delay and ultimately the project may kick off in the first week of February.

… The project is likely to be over in two and a half years. To be executed in the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) mode, the road would be handed over to the NHAI by the operators after 29 years.

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=67682.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved commencement of an Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for Selected Tribal and Backward Districts to cover identified 60 districts as an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) scheme on 100% grant basis. This is in pursuance of the Finance Minister’s announcement in his Budget Speech of 2010-11 and the Prime Minister’s address to the National Development Council on 24th July, 2010.

The scheme will, to begin with, be implemented over two years i.e. 2010-11 to 2011-12 with the following Components:

(i) In the current year (2010-11), a block-grant of ` 25 crore will be made available to each of the 60 selected districts for which the schemes will be decided by a Committee headed by the District Collector with District SP and District Forest Officer as members. During the year 2011-12, the block grant will be raised to ` 30 crore per district. The scheme will be reviewed for implementation in the 12th Plan at a later stage.

(ii) The existing KBK plan under BRGF will continue as before with annual allocation of ` 130 crore for all eight districts put together. The eight KBK districts have also been included under the IAP and will get additional block grant of ` 25 crore per district in the current year and suitable additional amount under both State and District Components of IAP in the subsequent years.

(iii) The scheme will focus on improvements in governance and specific preconditions will need to be complied with by the States before availing of the second tranche of the proposed additional financial assistance in 2011-12 under the State Component of the IAP. However, these conditionalities will not apply to the District Components of IAP.

(iv) The scheme will focus on effective implementation of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (Forest Rights Act).

(v) A mechanism for procurement and marketing of MFPs, including issues of manpower requirement, capacity building and development of value chain specific to MFPs would be worked out by the Planning Commission, in consultation with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The administrative mechanism for enforcement of the minimum support price for MFP in accordance with the mechanism so work out will be the responsibility of the State Government concerned.

(vi) The District Component will be administered by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the State Component by the Planning Commission.

AD/LV/RK

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

… the single-window clearance committee of the state government, cleared five proposals worth Rs 1,340 crore. Industries secretary T. Ramchandru said that Orissa-based Konark Kranti Energy would set up a petroleum complex at Paradip and a petroleum storage facility at Dhamra port. “The company will invest Rs 300 crore,” he said.

Britania Industries Limited would also set up a plant at Khurda with an investment of Rs 51 crore.

Around 700 people will be employed by the firm. Everest Industry would set up a corrugated asbestos plant at Somanthpur in Balasore with an investment of Rs 69 crore, Chariot Steel and Power would expand its cement plant at Sundergarh and invest Rs 320 crore while Nababharat Ventures Limited would set up a power plant with an investment of Rs 600 crore, he added.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

A private airline today submitted a proposal to the state government to start a daily air service between Rourkela and Calcutta. The company initially proposes to operate an 18-seater aircraft.

The company, which has done a preliminary survey, intends to use the airstrip of Rourkela steel plant but it has urged the government to provide another 64 acres to develop the airstrip. In the second phase, it plans to start anther flight from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar via Jharsuguda. The proposal is under consideration, said sources. Representatives of the airline met the chief secretary Bijay Patnaik and submitted their proposal today.

Following is from http://www.tathya.in/news/story.asp?sno=4742.

… The Managing Director of the Construction Major, Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL) after signing the Concession Agreement said that “the dynamics of the areas in the vicinity of 80 Kilometres of Astaranga in Puri will be energized”.

… “A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared by NECL within a year”, said he.

Mr.Sridhar signed the CA on behalf of NECL with the Government of Odisha to set up a port with a capacity of 25 Million Tonne Per Annum (MTPA) at an investment of Rs 6,500 crore in Puri district.

Gagan Kumar Dhal, Principal Secretary of the Department of commerce & Transport (DOCT) singed CA on behalf of Government of Odisha.

… Mr.Dhal said “All out support will be extended to the promoter of the deep water port being developed with ultimate capacity of 60 MTPA, which will be operational within four years of land acquisition”.

Astaranga Port would be full-fledged all weather multi-user port on BOOST (build, own, operate, share and transfer) basis, Mr.Dhal added.

The port would carter to ultimate vessel size of 1.75 lakh DWT Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT), he said.

The company would share with the State Government its gross income with 5 per cent share in the first five years, 8 per cent in 6th-10th year and 10 per cent in 10th-15th year.

It would share 12 per cent of share from income on 16th year when lease period ended, Dhal said.

Astaranga Port project, which would generate a large number of direct and indirect employment.

As per the stipulated policy of the Government of Odisha,90 per cent of the total requirement of unskilled and semi skilled manpower would come from locals.

The Developer would take 60 per cent of local people in skilled category, said Mr.Dhal

Similarly, a minimum of 30 per cent of supervisory and managerial level would be drawn from locals and it was allowed to hire senior executives from open market, Mr. Dhal added.

The port will have a Service Corridor of 90-km long rail and road connectivity.

While for road connectivity, it will be connected to the nearest National Highway and connectivity for rail will be taking off from Barang Railway Station, revealed P A Venkateswaran, Resident Director NECL.

In order to promote private ports the State Government has already signed Concession Agreements with three other companies to develop port facilities at Gopalpur in Ganjam district, Dhamra in Bhadrakh district and Chaumukh in Balasore district.

Read about how this ad happened in this Indian Express article.

Following is from a Business Standard report.

Chennai-based Creative Port Development Ltd, which proposes to set up an all-weather port at Subarnarekha Muhan in Orissa’s Balasore district, aims to achieve financial closure for the Rs 2187-crore project by June 2011.

The land acquisition process for the proposed port project is set to take off soon with notification under Section 4 (1). "The project needs 1215.43 acres of land for the port area and 1565.93 acres for the rail corridor. Notification under Section 4 (1) will be issued soon for land acquisition”, Sanjeev Sahoo, minister for commerce and transport, Orissa told reporters.

Out of the 1215.43 acres of land needed for the port area, 158 acres constitute Gochar land, 193 acres Bhudan land, 138 acres encroached land and the remaining 724 acres are free land. A high-level meeting chaired by the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the status of ports proposed to be set up at Gopalpur and Subarnarekha.

Creative Port Development Ltd had inked an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the state government on December 18, 2006, for setting up a port with an initial capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) which would be scaled up to 40 mtpa in 10 years.

The port developer had entered into a concession agreement with the state government on January 11, 2008. As per this agreement, the port developer would share revenue with the state government at the rate of five per cent from first to fifth year, eight per cent from sixth to 10th year, 10 per cent from 11th to 15th year and 12 per cent for the remaining 15 years.

Creative Port Development had submitted the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) application to the Orissa State Pollution Control Board on October 19 this year which has been forwarded to the Balasore district collector for conducting public hearing.

The Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package for the project is under finalisation. The proposed port is set to create direct and indirect employment for around 3,000 people.

Thanks to Kalahandia.blogspot.com for the pointers. Following is an excerpt from a report in sify.com.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the railways will usher in an industrial boom in the country as her ministry is to set up 20 new industries in the next one year.

‘We will set up 20 more heavy industries like wagon factories in underdeveloped areas of the country like Kalahandi in Orrisa, in Telangana (in Andhra Pradesh) and in Junglemahal (Maoists affected area),’ said Banerjee, while addressing a function to commence the work for the Dedicated Eastern freight Corridor at Dankuni.

Following is an excerpt from a blog entry in kalahandia.

To a local proposal through Vision Kalahandi 2020, Sri Sri Ravishankar ji has also agreed for a branch of his University in Kalahandi …

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

…  A high level delegation of the state government which was recently on a visit to Pune, the hub of the country’s automotive industry, has got some positive signals from the auto majors.

"Tata Motors, Fiat and John Deere have evinced interest in setting up their manufacturing bases in Orissa. These auto majors have assured us that the would definitely keep Orissa on their investment radar while pursuing their expansion plans and this is a positive development”, C J Venugopal, chairman and managing director of Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd (Ipicol) told Business Standard.

Apart from Venugopal, the state industries secretary Saurabh Garg; chairman and managing director of Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa (Idco) Priyabrata Pattnaik and veteran business leaders of the state who were part of the delegation, made a detailed presentation to the prospective investors.

We have asked the prospective investors in the auto sector not to be carried away by the negative publicity surrounding the projects of Posco and Vedanta. Our objective was to sensitize these investors who had never considered Orissa as an ideal investment destination for auto manufacturing. Once, we convince the big auto manufacturers to set up their manufacture ring bases in the state, the auto ancillaries will automatically follow”, he added.

The high profile delegation highlighted the strengths of Orissa including the state’s stable political climate, enabling infrastructure, consistently healthy GDP growth for the past few years, availability of cheap and productive labour and low incidence of labour unrest.

It is our earnest endeavour to diversify the state’s investment base and getting the auto majors to invest is the first step in this direction, Venugopal said, adding, “we are making efforts to get investors in sectors like automobiles, chemicals and food processing as the state has already attracted large number of investors in sectors like steel, aluminium, power and .”

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

… Balasore, which has around 70 per cent of the State’s plastic units, would soon turn into a plastic industry hub with this training centre while a plastic park is also in the offing and the work under the Industrial Up-gradation Scheme is in progress. Jena informed that Balasore is very strategically located between two upcoming Petrochemical Investment Regions at Nayachar, Haldia, and Paradip. There is potential for Balasore to be the hub of Plastics Industrial Corridor stretching on the East Coast of India.

Establishment of the APPTC at Balasore would act as a catalyst to stimulate growth of plastic industries in general and plastics processing industries in particular, he said. He said cooperation between the Centre and State is required for development.

State’s Minister of Industries and Steel and Mines Raghunath Mohanty said the APPTC’s intake for this year would be 150 and 100, respectively, for skilled and short-term courses while the full-fledged intake would be 480. The APPTC is being established by the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) on an area of 8 acres of land allotted by the State Government at a cost of `15 crore, which is being shared equally by the Central and State Governments.

Union Secretary of Chemicals & Petrochemicals M Raman informed that a proposal of the State Government to set up a PCPIR at Paradip has been recommended by the high-powered committee and its final approval is expected shortly. The total employment generation from the OPCPIR is expected to be about 6,48,000 persons, comprising of direct employment to 2.27 lakh and indirect employment to 4.21 lakh.

Balasore should also try to take advantage of its proximity to IIT Kharagpur.

Following is from a Business Standard report.

The state has attracted investments worth Rs51963.54 crore in the July-September quarter of 2010-11, reinforcing its image as an investor friendly destination.

… Of the 22 proposals that the state has received in the July-September period of this fiscal, seven have been in the energy sector followed by six in the steel and mines sector and three in the cement sector.

Investment proposals in the energy sector have been to the tune of Rs32024.76 crore with a cumulative capacity of 5175 Mw. Hecate Power Company Ltd has proposed to set up a 1080 Mw (4×270) thermal power plant in Bolangir district at a cost of Rs5350 crore.

Samvijaya Power and Allied Industries Ltd has proposed to set up a 1320 Mw (2×660) thermal power plant at Rampela in Jharsuguda district at an investment of Rs6828.38 crore.

Another power firm- Arissan Energy Ltd has also proposed to set up 1320 Mw (2×660) thermal power plant at the same location, entailing an investment of Rs6828.38 crore.

Similarly, Action Ispat and Power Ltd has evinced interest in setting up a 1320 Mw (2×660) thermal power plant at Puruna Pani in Boudh district at a cost of Rs8079.74 crore.

Embassy Nirman Pvt Ltd has proposed to set up a 135 Mw coal based power plant at Ghantikhal in Cuttack district at an investment of Rs618 crore.

Moser Baer Power and Infrastructures Ltd has proposed to put up a 1320 Mw (2×660) power plant in Bolangir district at a cost of Rs7400 crore.

Sonepur Energy and Oil City Pvt Ltd has lined up an investment of Rs5000 crore in setting up a gas processing plant and petrochemical complex at Sonepur in Ganjam district.

In the steel sector, ARSS Steel & Power Ltd has proposed to set up a three million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel plant at Boinda in Angul district, involving an investment of Rs10900 crore.

Similarly, Neepaz B C Dagara Steels Pvt Ltd, has planned to set up a 0.4 mtpa integrated steel plant and a 45 Mw captive power plant (CPP) at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district at a cost of Rs1152 crore.

International Minerals Trading Company Pvt Ltd has proposed to set up an iron ore fines beneficiation plant at Barbil in Keonjhar district at a cost of Rs150 crore.

In the cement sector, Visa Cement Ltd intends to set up a portland cement plant at Bargarh at a cost of Rs1840 crore. Jaipur Cements Pvt Ltd has proposed to set u a 0.5 mtpa cement grinding plant at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district at a cost of Rs63.50 crore.

Bhushan Infrastructure Ltd has planned an integrated township at Mangalpur in Dhenkanal district at an investment of Rs425 crore. J K Paper Ltd plans to set up a paper board plant at Jaykaypur in Rayagada district at a cost of Rs1475 crore.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

The largest integrated tourism project of the state — Samuka — is coming up on 3,000 acres of land on the sea beach near Puri. The project involves an investment of Rs 116.59 crore and is being implemented on public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

… The project had been visualised as a one-stop rejuvenation facility for “body and mind of tourists” and provide business opportunities to private investors while protecting the tourism interest of the state, official sources said.

The principal project components include star hotels, resorts, international convention centre, golf course, golf villas, cultural villages and craft bazaar.

Chief secretary Bijay Patnaik reviewed the progress of the proposed project at the state secretariat here today. At present, development plan has been prepared for 972 acres by the state tourism department and state-run Orissa Tourism Development Corporation, an official said.

“Protect natural beauty and environment while developing integrated tourism project along the sea shore. The project should aim at preservation and promotion of the state’s tourist potentials,” Patnaik told officials at the review meeting.

To take Samuka ahead, the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa (Idco) has already acquired 972 acres.

“Puri district collector has submitted proposal for further acquisition of 622 acres for a cost of Rs 4.81 crore. The government is examining the proposal. Tenders have been invited from hoteliers for construction of hotels and sea resorts. The committee has decided to invite and negotiate with interested investors and builders to give shape to the commercially viable components of the projects,” he added. The Idco has also constructed approach road to the proposed site for Rs 7.63 crore.

“The state energy department has been asked to supply power to the site for which Rs 37.56 crore will be spent.

“Water supply to the site will be provided for an investment of Rs 63.77 crore,” the official said.

It is good that the Chief Secretary has started reviewing the various large projects. I hope he does that regularly until the projects are completed.

• See http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/3488 for some design pictures of this project.
• See also http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=119124261452067 for additional details.

This site has high quality video of all her performances.

Here are the performances.

December 25th (Ik Tara – duet with Sugandha)

November 13th (Nigahein Milaney Ko Ji Chahta Hai)

November 12th (Barson Barson yaaron Barso Re)

November 6th (Aap ki nazron ne)

November 5th (Nach Baliye)

October 30th (Surmayee Ankhiyon Mein Nanha Munna Ek Sapna De Ja Re)

October 29th (Tere Bin Jiya Mora)

October 23rd (Laga Chunri mein daag)

October 22nd (Tere bina zindagi se koi)

October 16th (Chaandni Raatein) : The judges and mentors gave her 9, 9 and 10.

October 15th: Duet with Ali (Prem Jaal Mein)

October 9th: (Duet with judge/mentor Shekhar); So far I liked this performance of her the best)

October 2nd (Yeh Hosla Kaisey Jhuke)

October 1st: Duet with Khurram Iqbal (Tere Chehre Se)

September 24th – Performace of the day:

September 24th (Mitwa):

September 17th (Aye Herat-e-Aashiqi):

September 10th (Sapno Se Bharey Naina):

September 3rd (Mora Saiyan):

August 27th (Jhoote Naina):

August 21, Mega Audition (Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna):

August 14, Kolkata Audition (Mora Saiyyan To Hai Pardes):

Following is an excerpt from a report in Economic Times.

Mumbai Angels, an angel investment network, will invest in Kolkata-based milk packaging and distributing company Milk Mantra . The company, which is the latest in the agri sector to catch attention of investors, has already received early stage funding from Avishkar and an angel investor based in the UK.

“The company is planning to introduce fresh milk in cartons for the first time in India. It is a huge opportunity for a market like India where fresh milk is available only in plastic covers, which are not always hygienic.

… “Our aim is to offer direct to home service of fresh milk packed in a more hygienic manner. We have tied up with about 50,000 farmers in Orissa to procure milk. We expect to start business this year and in the initial phase it will be available in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar,” he said.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

The Indian Air force wants to develop the Charbatia base in Cuttack district into a full-fledged base station.

“I want to see an air base at Charbatia,” Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik told reporters after visiting the base. Presently, Charbatia is an aerial reconnaissance post of the Aviation Research Centre.

Charbatia base, spread over 2000 acres, is now with the Union home ministry. The airstrip came up in the area in the 1960s.

Earlier, Air Marshal J.N. Burma had discussed the issue with chief minister Naveen Patnaik in January, 2010. The Air Marshal had also urged Naveen to recommend to the home ministry to hand over the land to air force.

“Unless the state recommends, the Centre cannot transfer land to the air force,” said an IAF official.

Sources in the state government said the IAF had already given a proposal to the Centre to this effect and wants to invest Rs 5,000 crore in the base.

Revenue divisional commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra said he had already directed the Cuttack district collector to arrange the land for the air base. “They require an additional 600 acres of land. Discussion on the matter is going on,” he said.