Odisha Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg said the state prioritises infrastructure in the annual budget and directed officials to clear execution bottlenecks and speed up implementation. The sixth task force meeting on infrastructure implementation was held at Lok Seva Bhawan under her chairmanship. Senior secretaries and district collectors attended, some virtually.

Officials reviewed progress on major projects emphasised in the Prime Minister’s PRAGATI meetings and examined the execution status of under construction road works, national highway initiatives and large industrial and water resources schemes. The industries department outlined execution details, challenges and remedial measures. District collectors reported on project status and land acquisition, and the Jharsuguda Barpali Sardega phase two rail connectivity project was reviewed.

The water resources department presented execution timelines for irrigation schemes, reporting satisfactory progress on Kanupur and issuing directions to complete main and branch canal works promptly. The Chief Secretary reviewed the Turi Guntat Diversion Weir Barrage in Nabarangpur, the Upper Udanti Barrage in Nuapada, the Gobindpalli Integrated River Dam in Malkangiri and the Piplapanka Dam in Ganjam and issued instructions for timely completion.

The works department national highway wing updated the task force on road construction, widening, land acquisition, compensatory afforestation and compensation distribution across multiple corridors. Key stretches discussed included Kuakhia Mangalpur, Baliguda Mulakani, the Titilagarh city bypass, the route from Koksara to Nabarangpur and the Daringbadi ghat stretch. Officials also reviewed National Highways Authority of India projects, including the 17 km Banarpal Godibandha road, progress on the Cuttack Kandarpur link and segments of the Capital Region Ring Road, alongside land compensation and operational matters. The Chief Secretary commended district collectors and directed that remaining issues be resolved within fixed timelines to expedite delivery.