Infrastructure boost to counter Reds in Ganjam

BERHAMPUR: To check the spurt in Maoist-induced incidents in Ganjam in recent years, the district administration has chalked out development projects worth Rs 40 crore under the Centrally-sponsored Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for the next two years.

Construction of roads, anganwadi centers, rural playgrounds, mobile veterinary health units and electrification of 110 out of 475 panchayats in the district comprise the development projects, especially chalked out for selected panchayats identified as extremism-affected and underdeveloped.

"We have tressed on infrastructure development of the areas under the project," said collector Krishan Kumar. At least five veterinary mobile units will be functional in the areas, while at least 500 villages will be electrified, he said.

Ganjam, Nayagarh and Jajpur districts have been included in the IPA in the second phase, which will be implemented in 2012-13. In the first phase, 15 Maoist-infested districts in the state have been included in the plan. Each district gets Rs 30 crore annually for infrastructure development to counter Maoist activities.

Though Ganjam was normal till 2010, Maoist activities were witnessed in the adjoining districts of Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal. Spurt in rebel activities was recorded from 2010 onwards in Ganjam with police registering three Maoist related cases the same year, followed by eight in 2011. This year so far, police registered at least three cases. While one civilian has been killed by Maoists this year, police arrested at least six Maoists, official sources said.

Frequent movement of Maoists in jungles of Rayagada, Gajapati and Kndhamal and their presence in the neighboring districts preceded the ultras' activities in Ganjam, said a senior police officer. Lack of infrastructure in remote areas aids Maoists in spreading their tentacles in the district, said a police officer involved in anti-Naxal operations.

More than 10 lakh devotees reached Tara Tarini hill shrine for third Tuesday of Chaitra Mela

The Third Tuesday of the month of Chaitra, also considered as the holiest day in the religious calendar of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine witnessed a sea of devotees. The massive congregation at this Shrine, also famous as the breast shrine and considered as one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India, filled the air with religious fervor and devotion. The ongoing Navratri puja coinciding with the Chaitra festivities further added to the enthusiasm among the people. Stream of visitors thronged the famous Shakti Shrine from the wee hours till late in the evening and the police administration toiled hard to control the crowd and maintain law and order.                                                    

The estimated number of visitors this year has far exceeded the gathering witnessed in previous years with more than 5 lakh people reaching the temple on the hill-top while an equal number of people taking part in the fair on the foothill and on the banks of river Rushikulya.

Thousands of kids tonsured their head as per the age-old belief associated with this Shrine.

Following the tradition associated with Chaitra festivals, people from far and wide were seen cooking food with their family members as thanksgiving to the goddesses on fulfillment of their desires. This is undoubtedly tradition unique of its kind in the country where such large number of people indulge in cooking and which has become an integral part of the Chaitra festivities in Tara Tarini.

The rural fair and temporary shops all across the roads leading to the Temple is another attraction which added to the rush and by noon time the heavy police deployment proved inadequate in front of a congregation of this magnitude. However, the day passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.

The development activities taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board in recent years helped in ensuring better amenities and services for the devotees this year. Infact, some development projects were also inaugurated on this occasion including the long awaited ring road, street lighting and bathing Ghats on the banks of River Rushikulya which were thrown open for the public.

Keeping in mind the expected gathering, the temple administration made elaborate arrangements for transport, food and water with the help of large number of volunteers. The local administration took all possible measures through heavy deployment of police forces, ambulances and fire brigade. Many senior officials of the state government, district administration and peoples’ representatives visited the Shrine on this occasion to seek blessings of Maa.

3 Lakh devotees throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine on Second Tuesday of Chaitra

Railway Budget leaves South Odisha disappointed

TTDB welcomes devotees to the famous Chaitra Parva at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

94 crore budget (2012-13 financial year) approved for Silk City, Berhampur

The Berhampur Municipal Corporation approved a budget of Rs 94.99 crore for the 2012-13 financial years.

The council meeting was chaired by Mayor Mr. Siba Sankar Das and Commissioner Mr. Akshya Mohanty.

The officials stressed achievement of targets in time for various development projects to be undertaken in the city. They also recommended;

• Development of sanitation system in the city,
• Construction of parking and vending zones,
• Night shelters and mosquito control,
• Renovation of various water bodies and
• Beautification drive in the city will also be taken up.

It is noteworthy that Berhampur is one of the oldest cities of Eastern India and the third largest city in the State of Orissa.  It is the first Municipality of Odisha. The city was declared as a Municipality in the year 1867 by the Colonial administration.  It was declared as a Municipal Corporation or Class-I Town as per 2001 Census in the year 2008. 

Ganjam News

SOSA demands better railway infrastructure and connectivity for Berhampur and South Odisha

The South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) submitted a Memorandum to Central Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi demanding better railway infrastructure and connectivity for south Odisha and improvement of amenities at Brahmapur railway station. The Students’ body urged the Railway Minister to consider the long standing demand for a railway coaching terminal complex at Brahmapur, provision of adequate funds for the modernization of century old Brahmapur railway station with additional platforms, widening of the existing platforms, new entry points in place of the goods-shed which was shifted in 2005, adequate passenger amenities besides new long distance trains to New Delhi, Ahmadabad, Allahabad, Jamshedpur, Jaipur and Inter-city trains to Rourkela, Baripada, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Koraput etc.  The Association also demanded the early establishment of the proposed Wagon manufacturing unit at Sitalapalli near Brahmapur and sought approval for new railway lines connecting Brahmapur and Sambalpur via Phulbani and Gopalpur to Rayagada for these railway lines being both economically viable and socially desirable.  In their memorandum the SOSA members alleged that Berhampur station has till date not received proper attention of railway authorities. Members of this students' organisation urged the Railway Minister to visit Berhampur to take stock of situation and to assess the need of development. It may be noted that Berhampur is third largest city of Odisha and its railway station is more than a century old. According to reports this railway station handles second highest number of passengers in the State. 

Berhampur Nagarika Manch demands resumption of Industrial Estate railway passenger halt

A citizens' delegation met the General Manager of East Coast Railway in Bhubnaeswar with the demand to reopen the passenger halt in industrial estate area of Berhampur. This delegation was led former Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Ramchandra Panda and included leaders of Silpanchal Passenger Halt Sangarm Samity (SPHSS), an organisation fighting for the demand and Berhampur Nagarika Manch (BNM). During discussion they pointed out that this was a demand of people of Berhampur since last three decades. There have been protest demonstrations and rail-roko for the demand in the past. According to general secretary of SPHSS, Abani Kumar Gaya, passenger halt with the name Lanjipalli Passenger Halt was recorded in the railway timetable in 1946. But for some reason this passenger halt which was near present industrial estate was closed down. With the expansion of the city and rise of population in the area a passenger halt in the area has become an extreme need, Mr Panda said. In November 1998 at a meeting of the railway coordination committee recommendation was made for establishment of a passenger halt in industrial estate area. In 2010, East Coast Railway authorities had agreed in principle to establishment of this halt near industrial estate.  The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division had also in the past recommended the establishment of this passenger halt. A delegation of railway engineers had also made a spot visit in the past to prepare a feasibility report. But the passenger halt has not materialized yet. During discussion this delegation also demanded better amenities in the DMUs connecting Berhampur with Bhubaneswar. They also wanted the Gunupur-Puri passenger to be made an express train and a new passenger to be started between Palasa and Puri.

Source: The Hindu

Firemen of South Odisha demand better working conditions

BERHAMPUR: Fire fighters in south Odisha demanded better amenities to strengthen up their fire fighting capability.

This was point of discussion at a meeting of fire officials serving under Berhampur zone of fire brigade. This meeting was chaired by Fire Officer of Berhampur, Jaga Rao. There are 45 fire stations under the Berhampur zone. This meeting of fire fighters was important as usually fire accidents increase many folds during summer months.

Major problems

One of the major problems that came under discussion by the fire officials was provision of pump sets to the fire stations. Thirty eight fire stations under Berhampur zone have only single pump sets. In case this pump set develops some snag, it affects service of fire fighters stationed at the fire station. Demand was made for provision of second pump sets to these fire stations. Fire fighters also protested the fact that most of the time they are being used to search or recover dead bodies from drains and water bodies.

They alleged that it was not their job. But in case of need they are compelled to get involved in these operations. “If in any case they are late to recover a dead body due to fire fighting duties, we are facing wrath of locals ,” they alleged. They demanded their department to make an announcement that fire fighters should not be used in the process of recovery of dead bodies.

Condition of buildings of fire stations and living quarters of fire fighters was also discussed. It was alleged that several fire stations like Khariar, Kesinga, Aska, Digapahandi, Patrapur etc do not have a proper boundary wall due to which land of fire station is getting encroached by unscrupulous elements. It was alleged that salary of drivers posted at fire stations was not sufficient and they were not getting proper number of offs due to which they were not getting good drivers. They wanted extra drivers to be posted at fire stations to ease pressure on existing drivers. To enhance fire fighting services two more fire stations are being constructed at Kukudakhandi and Shergarh in Ganjam district.

Apart from it plans are on for establishment of two more fire stations at Chikiti and Guma under this zone.

Source: The Hindu