Mining districts in Odisha get ₹1,700-cr infra upgrades

The Odisha government has cleared infrastructure projects worth ₹1,700 crore for mining-affected districts. The amount will be drawn from the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) fund and will be spent on 24x7 safe drinking water supply projects in 13 urban local bodies in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts, livelihood projects and procurement of medical equipment for health facilities in Mayurbhnaj district. The decision was taken at the board of directors meeting chaired by chief secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy. The OMBADC fund will be spent under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed central empowered committee (CEC). The housing and urban development department has been asked to prepare a detailed project report on providing 24x7 drinking water to urban areas where plans are also afoot to impart skill development training to the local youths to create employment opportunities.