Dear esteemed Chief Minister, Commerce & Transport secretary
and Rail commissioner:
You may recall that the 2007-08 rail budget had very little allocation
for the new lines in Orissa such as Khurda Rd - Balangir. My analysis after
going through the rail budget is that it was not because Orissa was
singled out but because of recent Indian Railways policy
(a) to give priority to the gauge conversion of 13,000 kms of narrow gauge lines
(only 127 kms of which is in Orissa)
(b) to give priority to the projects labeled as national projects (J & K,
North eastern states)
(c) to force states to pay 50% or more for other projects
(d) to construct freight corridors (first two to be made during the 11th plan
do not pass through Orissa)
(e) to supplement metro rail construction in 10+ cities across India
(f) and to explore high speed corridors (none of the proposed ones pass through
Orissa)
Under these circumstances, and under normal circumstances
unless Orissa is able to find 50% of the necessary money
it may take 20-30 years or more for the Khurda-Balangir line and the
Juagarh-Nabrangpur-Jeypore-Malkangiri line to get complete.
The only way out is to try our best to designate the above lines
declared as national project with a time table of getting them done
during the 11th plan. If we succeed in getting them designated
as a national project then well and good, if not we may be able to
get them a high priority or force a change in the policy so that these
lines get done in 5 years. (This will be similar to the Vijaywada-Ranchi
highway, which although did not get the national highway designation,
got enough attention and funding promises to get in the priority list.)
A similar approach is being tried by Uttarakhand and recent news report
mention that Mr. Lalu Yadav has asked the PM to designate the making of certain lines
in Uttarakhand as national projects.
I think we need to move fast and make a similar effort by presenting
our case (to designate the making of lines in KBK+ as national project)
with both the PM as well as the railway minister. They claim to be in
a receptive mood vis-a-vis Orissa and we must not miss this chance.
We must make sure that the finishing of these lines in the next
five years is inked in the 11th plan.
To help you in this I have attached a draft presentation which
one may improve upon.
Again, this is the time. If we are not able to do something now, after the 11th
plan is being finalized, no matter how much we shout and cry in December/Jan/Feb it
may not help; as it did not help last year.
Please, please urgently contact Mr. Lalu Yadav and the PM and make
the case, and if necessary write about it, go to the media etc. etc. as you
did successfully with respect to the Vijaywada-Ranchi highway.
sincerely and with best regards
Chitta
--
Chitta Baral
Professor, Arizona State University
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following documents contains the proposal by Prof Chitta Baral to make KBK Rail Connectivity a National Project for bringing new infrastructure to backward KBK+ cluster.
Proposal in PPT
Proposal with a map in PDF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, July 13, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Hati River Bridge over NH 201 near Junagarh still a Serious Concern in Rainy Season
The Hindu, June 29, 2007
Heavy rains in Orissa, rivers in spate
Bhubaneswar, June. 29 (PTI): Heavy rains lashed coastal and southern Orissa as the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal crossed the coast near Puri today, leaving several rivers in a spate.
The depression hit the coast between 0530 and 0630 hours but rains had been continuing since Wednesday afternoon in many places as squally weather prevailed.
Revenue Control Room sources said several places in south Orissa were virtually deluged experiencing cloudbursts as normal life was thrown out of gear.
Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district experienced as much as 32 cm of rainfall during the 24 hours ended at 0830 hours this morning while Jeypore town in Koraput district, which was deluged by 27 cm of rains on Wednesday night, was subjected to another 21 cm during the last 24 hours.
Koraput town experienced 22 cm of precipitation over the same period.
The sources said that the heavy rains had caused the Vamsadhara river to swell which was flowing at 53.64 metres, just above the warning level of 53.60 metres at Kashinagar. The Mahendratanaya river was also in spate.
Special Relief Commissioner N K Sundarray said the situation in Koraput district, which was lashed by heavy rains, was improving.
Meanwhile, two Thai fishing trawlers have sunk in the Bay of Bengal off the Paradip coast, but the crew members are safe, official sources said today.
All the 28 crew members in the two vessels managed to reach the coast in life boats. One of them, who was sick, had been admitted into the Port Trust Hospital.
A report from Bhawanipatna said heavy rains in the district had flooded the Hathi river and the water was flowing three feet above the bridge near Junagarh on NH-201.
The Hathi feeds the Tel river, the biggest tributary of the Mahanadi system downstream of Hirakud dam.
"We are keeping track of the heavy rains and watching the rivers," a senior revenue department official said adding "right now no serious flood situation is being visualised."
Several units of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force had been kept ready to meet the emerging situation.
The places which received major amount of rainfall included Nabarangpur (20 cm), Patangi (19), Umarkote (18), Krushna Prasad (17), Kosagumuda (16), Jaleswar (13), Jaipatna (12) and Tikabali (11).
Meanwhile, a restless sea continued to pound the coast affecting two seaside villages under Satbhaya gram panchayat in Kendrapara district.
The waves submerged Satbhaya and Kanhupur villages marooning about 200 families. Some of them, however, had subsequently shifted to the nearby panchayat building and a sand dune, the local sarpanch Sasmita Das said.
The sea had already devoured five nearby villages over the last few decades with only two remaining now.
Similar report: Samaja, 8 Aug 2007
Dharitri, Aug 8, 2007
The Hindu, Aug 12, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 13, 2007
Times of India, Aug 11, 2007
The Telegraph, Kolkata, Aug 13, 2007
The Pioneer, Aug 13, 2007
Dharitri, Aug 13, 2007
The Samaja, Aug 13, 2007
The Pioneer, Aug 17, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 18, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 19, 2007
Heavy rains in Orissa, rivers in spate
Bhubaneswar, June. 29 (PTI): Heavy rains lashed coastal and southern Orissa as the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal crossed the coast near Puri today, leaving several rivers in a spate.
The depression hit the coast between 0530 and 0630 hours but rains had been continuing since Wednesday afternoon in many places as squally weather prevailed.
Revenue Control Room sources said several places in south Orissa were virtually deluged experiencing cloudbursts as normal life was thrown out of gear.
Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district experienced as much as 32 cm of rainfall during the 24 hours ended at 0830 hours this morning while Jeypore town in Koraput district, which was deluged by 27 cm of rains on Wednesday night, was subjected to another 21 cm during the last 24 hours.
Koraput town experienced 22 cm of precipitation over the same period.
The sources said that the heavy rains had caused the Vamsadhara river to swell which was flowing at 53.64 metres, just above the warning level of 53.60 metres at Kashinagar. The Mahendratanaya river was also in spate.
Special Relief Commissioner N K Sundarray said the situation in Koraput district, which was lashed by heavy rains, was improving.
Meanwhile, two Thai fishing trawlers have sunk in the Bay of Bengal off the Paradip coast, but the crew members are safe, official sources said today.
All the 28 crew members in the two vessels managed to reach the coast in life boats. One of them, who was sick, had been admitted into the Port Trust Hospital.
A report from Bhawanipatna said heavy rains in the district had flooded the Hathi river and the water was flowing three feet above the bridge near Junagarh on NH-201.
The Hathi feeds the Tel river, the biggest tributary of the Mahanadi system downstream of Hirakud dam.
"We are keeping track of the heavy rains and watching the rivers," a senior revenue department official said adding "right now no serious flood situation is being visualised."
Several units of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force had been kept ready to meet the emerging situation.
The places which received major amount of rainfall included Nabarangpur (20 cm), Patangi (19), Umarkote (18), Krushna Prasad (17), Kosagumuda (16), Jaleswar (13), Jaipatna (12) and Tikabali (11).
Meanwhile, a restless sea continued to pound the coast affecting two seaside villages under Satbhaya gram panchayat in Kendrapara district.
The waves submerged Satbhaya and Kanhupur villages marooning about 200 families. Some of them, however, had subsequently shifted to the nearby panchayat building and a sand dune, the local sarpanch Sasmita Das said.
The sea had already devoured five nearby villages over the last few decades with only two remaining now.
Similar report: Samaja, 8 Aug 2007
Dharitri, Aug 8, 2007
The Hindu, Aug 12, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 13, 2007
Times of India, Aug 11, 2007
The Telegraph, Kolkata, Aug 13, 2007
The Pioneer, Aug 13, 2007
Dharitri, Aug 13, 2007
The Samaja, Aug 13, 2007
The Pioneer, Aug 17, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 18, 2007
The New Indian Express, Aug 19, 2007
Orissa may get 3 more edu institutes
Busness Standard, June 25, 2007
The Central government is likely to establish at least three educational and professional institutes in southern Orissa as part of its 11th Plan agenda for education. While the first Central University is likely to be set up in Koraput, plans for an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and National Institute of Design (NID) in Berhampur are in the works.
The Center has decided to establish a Central University in each state and 19 IIITs across the country during the 11th Plan period. “Orissa should get these institutes during the 11th plan period and I suggested that these should be set up in Berhampur and Koraput,” said Chandra Sekhar Sahu, the union minister of state for rural development, adding: “When I gave these suggestions to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he warmed up to it and I hope these institutes will be established in the southern Orissa towns.”
Sahu also said he has discussed the possibility of a National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) being set up in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar. The recent discussions with the Union minister for commerce, Kamal Nath, and the minister for textiles, Shankarsingh Veghela, “were very positive and they assured us that they are willing to establish these institutes if the state government extended its cooperation,” said Sahu.
Another national institute – the National Institute of Handloom Technology (NIHT) – will be established at Bargarh, a town in western Orissa. While the Central University and IIIT are under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, the NID is under the Ministry of Commerce. NIFT and NIHT come under the Ministry of Textiles.
Meanwhile, the Berhampur University in south Orissa is planning to introduce a five-year integrated course in Masters of Computer
Application (MCA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Once it gets the green signal, the university will start the five-year integrated courses in these two subjects.
The matter was discussed in the syndicate meeting of the university held here recently and was referred to the Board of Studies of MCA and
MBA for consideration and recommendation. At present, the Berhampur University offers three-year MCA and Law courses, and a two-year degree in MBA.
The Central government is likely to establish at least three educational and professional institutes in southern Orissa as part of its 11th Plan agenda for education. While the first Central University is likely to be set up in Koraput, plans for an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and National Institute of Design (NID) in Berhampur are in the works.
The Center has decided to establish a Central University in each state and 19 IIITs across the country during the 11th Plan period. “Orissa should get these institutes during the 11th plan period and I suggested that these should be set up in Berhampur and Koraput,” said Chandra Sekhar Sahu, the union minister of state for rural development, adding: “When I gave these suggestions to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he warmed up to it and I hope these institutes will be established in the southern Orissa towns.”
Sahu also said he has discussed the possibility of a National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) being set up in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar. The recent discussions with the Union minister for commerce, Kamal Nath, and the minister for textiles, Shankarsingh Veghela, “were very positive and they assured us that they are willing to establish these institutes if the state government extended its cooperation,” said Sahu.
Another national institute – the National Institute of Handloom Technology (NIHT) – will be established at Bargarh, a town in western Orissa. While the Central University and IIIT are under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, the NID is under the Ministry of Commerce. NIFT and NIHT come under the Ministry of Textiles.
Meanwhile, the Berhampur University in south Orissa is planning to introduce a five-year integrated course in Masters of Computer
Application (MCA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Once it gets the green signal, the university will start the five-year integrated courses in these two subjects.
The matter was discussed in the syndicate meeting of the university held here recently and was referred to the Board of Studies of MCA and
MBA for consideration and recommendation. At present, the Berhampur University offers three-year MCA and Law courses, and a two-year degree in MBA.
Our Govt will fight for central varsity: Naveen
The New Indian Express, June 20, 2007
BHUBANESWAR: Denial of a central university to the State by Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has come as a shock for people of Orissa.
The university will now be established at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, the home state of HRD Minister Arjun Singh.
Describing this as another glaring instance of Centre’s indifference towards the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told newspersons that his government would fight for establishment of the university in Orissa.
Besides, the BJD would also organise State-wide demonstration on the issue. Underscoring the need for setting up the central university in KBK region, the Chief Minister said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that this would immensely benefit the SC, ST and BPL families.
The demand goes back to 1991 when the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had moved the Centre for upgrading Utkal University to a central university.
Naveen Patnaik raised the issue again after taking over as the Chief Minister in 2000.
However, neither the previous NDA government nor the present UPA government considered the demand favourably.
The shifting of the central university has come at atime when the State has already been deprived by the Centre of having a National Institute of Science (NIS) or an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
BHUBANESWAR: Denial of a central university to the State by Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has come as a shock for people of Orissa.
The university will now be established at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, the home state of HRD Minister Arjun Singh.
Describing this as another glaring instance of Centre’s indifference towards the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told newspersons that his government would fight for establishment of the university in Orissa.
Besides, the BJD would also organise State-wide demonstration on the issue. Underscoring the need for setting up the central university in KBK region, the Chief Minister said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that this would immensely benefit the SC, ST and BPL families.
The demand goes back to 1991 when the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had moved the Centre for upgrading Utkal University to a central university.
Naveen Patnaik raised the issue again after taking over as the Chief Minister in 2000.
However, neither the previous NDA government nor the present UPA government considered the demand favourably.
The shifting of the central university has come at atime when the State has already been deprived by the Centre of having a National Institute of Science (NIS) or an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
No dearth of funds for KBK dists: CM
The New Indian Express, June 23, 2007
RAYAGADA: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced that his Government was taking all possible measures to fulfill the dream of Biju ‘babu’ to make Orissa a prosperous State and bring about development of tribals and downtrodden.
Addressing a workers’ meeting presided over by BJD leader N Bhaskar Rao, Naveen said there will be no dearth of funds for development of KBK districts.
He said the BJD-BJP Government in the State has launched various developmental programmes which can only be implemented with the support of the people.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister continued with his inauguration spree. He inaugurated the new collectorate building and circuit house besides unveiled the statue of Biju Patnaik at the new busstand.
He also inaugurated the market complex of Chandili panchayat near JKPur. This apart, Naveen distributed 18,200 land ‘pattas’ and 56 tractors. He also promised that the Naupada-Gunupur railway line would be completed by March 2008. Around 10 platoons of police were deployed in the town.
RAYAGADA: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced that his Government was taking all possible measures to fulfill the dream of Biju ‘babu’ to make Orissa a prosperous State and bring about development of tribals and downtrodden.
Addressing a workers’ meeting presided over by BJD leader N Bhaskar Rao, Naveen said there will be no dearth of funds for development of KBK districts.
He said the BJD-BJP Government in the State has launched various developmental programmes which can only be implemented with the support of the people.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister continued with his inauguration spree. He inaugurated the new collectorate building and circuit house besides unveiled the statue of Biju Patnaik at the new busstand.
He also inaugurated the market complex of Chandili panchayat near JKPur. This apart, Naveen distributed 18,200 land ‘pattas’ and 56 tractors. He also promised that the Naupada-Gunupur railway line would be completed by March 2008. Around 10 platoons of police were deployed in the town.
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