He participated in the Nua-O Program organised at Gajapati Stadium and interacted with students of all colleges of the district. He discussed with the students on Nua-O program providing a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent and to help achieve overall personality development in addition to their academic achievements.

Pandian advised the students to work hard with self-confidence to achieve success in life. He said that the college transformation projects in the district will be completed by February, an official release said.

The 5T Chairman reviewed the progress of 9 bridges with a total cost of Rs 54 crore which were sanctioned after the last visit to the district in May 2023.

Later, he also reviewed other major projects in the district – Chheligada Irrigation project at a total cost of Rs 996 Crs; Mega Piped water Supply projects to Rayagada block at a total cost of Rs 180.5 Crs; Paralakhemundi Bypass Road at a cost of Rs 54 Crs; Development of different Waterfalls and view points at a total cost of Rs 13.5 Crs; Development of Jeerango Monastery at a cost of Rs 2.68 Crs and development of different major temples of the district.

Some of the major projects have been taken up after the previous visit of Pandian to Gajapati district in May 2023, when he attended the grievance meetings and took feedback from the public.

Pandian interacted with the public at Kashinagar and Ramagiri and received the grievances on various issues and assured early resolution.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off bus service via video conferencing from Bhubaneswar. “This has started a new trend of development in the panchayats, connecting villages with villages, while strengthening social connect as well as economy of the state,” he said.

In the first phase of the scheme, 36 LAccMI buses will ply, connecting 126 panchayats and 7 blocks in Gajapati with the district headquarters, he said, adding that 69 new bus stoppages have been built, 64 renovated.

Naveen also mentioned about inauguration of the initiative in Malakangiri, where 36 buses started plying on different routes on October 12. “More than 1,000 buses will run across the state under this scheme,” he said.

After Malkangiri and Gajapati, four other tribal-dominated districts — Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal — will be covered by this robust bus service in the first phase.

The CM also said that his government is currently focussing on development of villages in the state through ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme, where in people will able to avail facilities as in urban areas including banking, internet and digital infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike launched by private bus operators has disrupted normal life with thousands of passengers stranded in bus terminals across Odisha.

While appealing to the umbrella association to withdraw its decision in view of the festive season, Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu had asserted that LAccMI is a people-friendly scheme and it will continue.