Pradhan Reviews Key Road, Rail and Mining Projects in Odisha

Sambalpur MP and former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the progress of several major infrastructure and mining-related projects across Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal and Deogarh districts.
Pradhan held discussions with Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, along with Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra and legislators from Angul, Athmallik, Pallahara, Chhendipada and Parjang.
The meeting focused on speeding up key road projects, including the Angul-Chhendipada road, Jarapada-Chhendipada bypass and Patrapada-Handapa road. Pradhan also stressed that construction work should be planned in a way that causes minimum disruption to residents.

Several major projects in Sambalpur were also reviewed, including the Sambalpur Ring Road, Burla and Hirakud bypasses, Remeda-Hirakud road, the proposed Burla-Hirakud bridge, the Shaheed Chowk-Khandual Mahanadi embankment ring road and the Sambalpur-Jharsuguda road expansion.
In another meeting with MLAs from Angul and Dhenkanal, Pradhan discussed railway infrastructure, new railway lines and improvements to the regional transportation network covering Sambalpur and Deogarh.
He also participated in a meeting of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited’s independent committee in Angul. Discussions focused on issues affecting people displaced by mining activities, local employment opportunities, environmental protection and the utilisation of CSR funds in mining-affected areas.
Pradhan said the meeting particularly reviewed the progress of the inner and outer corridors of the Talcher coalfields, the proposed Talcher-Bimalagarh railway line, Barkot-Lopanga railway line and Talcher-Sukinda Road railway project.
The meeting also examined future railway traffic requirements and the use of CSR initiatives to improve roads, drinking water, healthcare and educational facilities in affected areas. Measures related to dust and pollution control, plantation drives and faster recruitment of local residents were also discussed.