Sambalpur: Construction of Samlei project begins in April, review of secretarial team in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: Construction of the much-awaited Samlei project in Sambalpur will begin from April. Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and 5-T Secretary VK Pandian reviewed the project said in a press release. The secretariat team discussed with the district administration the progress of the project, land acquisition, displacement and relocation. The team consisted of former Chief Secretary VV Yadav and Special Chief Minister R Vinil Krishna, among others. Also present were Uttaranchal IG Deepak Kumar, Uttaranchal Revenue Commissioner Suresh Chandra Dalai, Sambalpur District Commissioner Divyajyoti Parida, SDP Batula Gangadhar, Sadar Deputy District Magistrate Suryavanshi Peacock Development, Samlei Mandir Trust Board President Sanjay Babu. With security in mind, a large police force was deployed in and around samleshwari temple ,Durgapali.

The Secretary-General’s team arrived in Sambalpur this morning as work on the Samlei scheme continued. After visiting Maa Samaleshwari for the first time, the team toured the temple and reviewed the sites involved in the development project. A review meeting was held around the temple. Officials and departmental officials in charge of project construction were present. Officials were instructed to expedite the work, as the first phase of the project has already begun. They then went to the river-based point on the banks of the river and inspected the situation, from there to the colony area where construction began at Durgapali. The team directed the district administration to expedite the construction of the colony and to complete the evacuation work immediately. After reviewing the situation, temple trust board president Sanjay Babu made a statement to the media and highlighted the review. Contracts with private companies to complete the project within 2 year and half then how the work will be completed within a year.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 200 crore under the Samlei scheme, which will be redeveloped into a 108-acre area around the temple in two phases. The first phase will develop 44.5 acres and the second phase will cover 63 acres. Among them will be four gates in the temple, 1 km of heritage corridors, parking arrangements, vending zones, information centers, toilets, donations centers, and special houses for the service on the side of the temple. It is learned that the banks of the Mahanadi River will also be upgraded and Alti land, food park, and waste treatment plant will be constructed.