Pandian reviewed the progress of Baitarani Left Embankment Strengthening and Road Development Project at a cost of Rs 150.24 crore. The project was taken up based on feedback from people during his last visit to Dhamnagar in December 2023.

The embankment strengthening project will reduce the impact of floods in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Chandbali area from river Baitarani. The pucca road from Biridi to Tintar Ghat on the river embankment will reduce the travel time by 2 hours, provide faster access to Jajpur Medical College and also to NH 16. The project would benefit approximately 1,20,00 people in Bhadrak.

He also reviewed the progress of Akhuapada and Kochila instream storage structures over river Baitarani at a total cost of Rs 681 crore. Both the projects would provide irrigation facilities to an ayacut area of 81,200 acre. Water would also be available in the Rabi season for cultivation. It would also help in fishery sector development in the area.

During his interaction with the public in meetings at Akhuapada Field and IGM College Field in Dhamnagar, he informed about major decisions taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik including increase in social security pensions across all categories by Rs 500 each that would benefit around 58 lakh beneficiaries.

He also informed that financial assistance under MAMATA Yojana has been increased from Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000. This will further benefit women and infants towards improved nutrition and better health outcomes.

He said the Chief Minister has launched a novel initiative in providing Nua-O Scholarships to the under-graduate and post-graduate students studying in state universities, government and non-government aided colleges including Sanskrit Colleges and unaided colleges under Higer Education department.

Under the initiative, male students will get Rs 9,000, while the female students will get Rs 10,000 per annum. The students belonging to SC/ST and Nirman Shramik families will get Rs 10,000 (male) and Rs 11,000 (female) per annum. The scholarships for the current academic year will be deposited in the bank accounts of the eligible students from February 26.

He informed about the rolling out of bus service under LaCCMI scheme in every panchayat of the district in which the bus fare for female passengers and students will be Rs 5 only.

The tomatoes missed Pandian but BJD workers overpowered and thrashed the youth, who is believed to be a Congress activist belonging to Belaguntha block.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place when Pandian reached the stage around 11.30 am. Police immediately arrested the youth and the programme went on as scheduled. “You can throw eggs, tomatoes & ink at me or even fire bullets but it would not stop me from meeting and serving the people of Odisha,” Pandian told the gathering reacting to the development.

Pandian has faced black flag protests and egg attacks in the past. A person also threw ink at him during his visit to Satyabadi in Puri district in August, 2023, when he was serving as the secretary (5T) to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He took voluntary retirement from service in October and joined the BJD, the following month.

The accused youth has reportedly been opposing various programmes of Pandian for the last few months. The Congress is yet to react to the incident. BJD has also not issued any statement on this incident.

Addressing a special session at the World Odia Language Conference in Bhubaneswar, the 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman said the tenure from 2024 to 2029 will be a game changer for the state.

Compared to 2019-24, the next five years from 2024 to 2029 is going to be much faster, bigger, more inclusive, greener and more empowering for the people of Odisha, said Pandian.

Asserting that the state has been witnessing tremendous transformation in every sector since 2019, the BJD leader said that in the next five years, Odisha will not compete with other states but compete with the world and our target will be much bigger.

Odisha has been transforming in all spheres, including education and health care sectors, he said, adding that poverty level which stood at 68 per cent in 2000 has come down to 11 per cent. Odisha, which earlier depended on Punjab and Haryana for food, is now food surplus and supplies to many states, he said.

Stating that Odisha has done spiritual governance and not bureaucratic governance under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the it is guided by spiritual values and transformation is taking place with the blessings of ‘Mahaprabhu’ – Lord Jagannath.

Humility and transparency are the hallmarks of this governance and Odisha’s target is much bigger now, Pandian added.

He also directed the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) team to expedite the remaining finishing activities and ready it by mid-February.

The ISBT is poised to become a crucial transit hub not only for the residents of Odisha but also for those from neighbouring states.

According to an official release, Pandian took stock of the facilities provided for commuters, including waiting areas, sanitation facilities, bus bays, upcoming F&B outlets, lighting installations, and restroom facilities. He appreciated the Operation Control Centre ( OCC). Pandian also directed officials to make provision of proper Odia signages and map facility to guide the commuters.

Once operationalised, ISBT, spread over 15.5 acre, will serve as the biggest bus terminus in the state handling more than 500 buses and thousands of passengers daily. The terminal has been designed to provide a world-class travel experience to passengers and is equipped with modern amenities such as state-of-the-art Aahaar Centre, restaurants, multi-storey car parking, pick-up/drop-off facility, solar panel system, and sewage treatment plant.

It also has provisions for police facilitation centre to ensure safety of passengers, administrative building for managing the terminal operations, toilet facilities for passengers, ramp facilities for the convenience of passengers with disabilities, and baby feeding rooms for mothers travelling with infants. Besides, there will be children’s play area, a primary health clinic, and additional parking for seasonal buses.

The feel and experience will be that of an airport, the release added.

During a visit to the university, Pandian reviewed the progress of the development works and directed the officials engaged in the project to speed up the construction works to complete those in time.

Pandian, who also interacted with the students in the university ground, told them to focus on their studies and responsibility towards the society. Encouraging the students to participate in the state government’s Nua-O programme, he said it is a highly rewarding platform for their career and future.

“You can participate in different competitions organised at college, block and district levels to explore their talent. You should know that participation in the competitions counts, not winning or losing. The programme will not only help you in your career but also make you responsible citizens of the country,” he said.

Urging the students to participate in different sports, he said a health mind in a healthy body makes a man achieve success. “You all should participate in different types of physical activities and do mediation for at least 15 minutes daily,” he said.

Advising them not to waste time in social media, Pandian advised them to focus on their studies. “Be active for at least 14 hours in a day and focus on your studies. Respect your parents and march towards your goal on the path shown by them,” he said.

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.

Participating in the Nua-O programme, organised at Mandalia Ground, he told the college students that they can showcase their talent and achieve overall personality development in addition to academic achievements by utilising the platform.

Citing examples of prominent persons like PK Mishra from the district, Pandian advised them to work hard to achieve success in life. He motivated them to dream big towards achieving the goals.

He visited Maa Samaleswari temple and reviewed the progress of SAMLEI project being implemented in 2 phases with a total cost of Rs 292 crore. Its inauguration is scheduled on January 27.

Pandian also reviewed the progress of development of Jagannath Temple, Panchakhanda Temple in Rairakhol and renovation of Smruti Pitha at Kandhara and Prapti Pitha at Madhupur of Santha Bhimabhoi at cost of Rs 13.58 crore.

Later, he reviewed the progress of construction of 4 instream storage structures on river Bheden in Budharaja, Kirasasan, Saida and Gochhara in Kuchinda at a cost of Rs 210 crore and various mega PWS projects in 7 blocks of the district with a cost of Rs 802 crore, 16 road projects with Rs 131 crore and 16 bridge projects with Rs 90 crore.

During the day, he interacted with the public at Kuchinda College ground in Kuchinda and Kadam Padia in Rairakhol and received the grievances on various issues and assured early resolution.

Participating in the Nua-O programme, organised at Gandhi Stadium in Balangir town, he interacted with students of colleges of the district. He said Nua-O offers a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent and help them achieve overall personality development in addition to their academic achievements. Citing examples of prominent persons from the district, he asked the students to work hard with self-confidence to achieve success in life.

Pandian reviewed the progress of 650-bed Teaching Hospital at Bhima Bhoi Medical College & Hospital, Balangir constructed with a cost of Rs 305 crore. While the work is in finishing stage, he instructed the officials to complete all remaining works at the earliest.

Later, he also reviewed other major projects in the district including ISS projects at Kukedmal, Patharla, Kursud, Silatkani, Kutasingha at a total cost of 1217 crore; Mega pipe drinking water supply projects in different blocks at a cost of Rs 1312 crore; bypass road at a cost of Rs 176 crore; Patnagarh bypass road at a cost of Rs 140 crore; development of Tusura airstrip at a cost of Rs 65 crore and development of Harishankar Temple at a cost of Rs 26 crore.

Some of the major projects have been taken up after the previous visit of Pandian to the District in August 2023 when he attended the grievance meetings and took feedback from the people.

During the day, he also interacted with the people at Kantabanji Vocational College Playground & RN Singhdeo stadium field, Saintala and received the grievances on various issues and assured early resolution.

Pandian reviewed the progress of development work at Akhandalamani Temple in Aradi taken up at a cost of Rs 48 crore.

During the visit, he also reviewed the progress of Major projects – Mega PWS Project for Chandbali at a cost of Rs 893 crore; Bhadrak Ring Road at a cost of Rs 100 crore; construction of Integrated Instream Storage Structure at Akhuapada at a cost of Rs 480 crore; construction of New DHH & MCH and 100 Bedded Super Speciality Hospital at Bhadrak at a cost of Rs 164 crore.

The 5T Chairman also reviewed the progress of construction of Chudamuni Harbour in Basudevpur taken up at a cost of Rs. 47 crore; Puruna Bazar to Guzidahara via Maa Bhadrakali Temple at a cost of Rs. 41 crore; and development of Dhamara Jetty at a cost of Rs. 27 crore, official sources said.

Later, Pandian also reviewed the progress of three important bridges – Bridge over Salandi River at Dhanakania, Chandbali at a cost of Rs. 80 crfore; Rail Over Bridge at Kenduapada, Bhandaripokhari at a cost of Rs 55 crore and Bridge over River Mantei at Panchuthikiti, Chandbali at a cost of Rs 52 crore. All the three bridges were received as requests during last visit of Pandian to the district.

Some of the other major projects have also been taken up after the previous visit of Pandian to Bhadrak district when he attended the grievance meetings and took feedback from the public.

Pandian also interacted with the public at Aradi, Asurali and Bhadrak Municipality and received the grievances on various issues and assured early resolution.

This came amid speculation about his role in the ruling party, which he joined last month after taking voluntary retirement from service in October.

“Pandian today cleared his stand on fighting the upcoming elections. He himself announced that he would not contest the 2024 elections. But as a dedicated worker, he will continue to strengthen the party,” Mishra said, adding that there should be no problem if he decides to contest the polls, but people should refrain from spreading rumours.

Former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena said Pandian will work for the BJD in all 147 Assembly constituencies in the state. “The former bureaucrat will work towards strengthening the BJD under the leadership of our party president Naveen Patnaik,” he said.

BJD MLA Sandip Routray told reporters that Pandian informed the meeting that he would continue to work for the party and unite it further. “Since Odisha has gained a reputation of well-governed state, he will work to increase the popularity of the party,” he added.