Rayagada,(Badal Tah): During recent visit of Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha,Minister, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Energy, Rayagada Nagarika Mancha(RNM), an apex level civic body of Rayagada submitted a memorandum to the minister for his kind intervention in accelerating development activities in the district.According to report prepared by Executive Engineer, Koraput Investigation Division, Vansadhara is a major irrigation project contemplated for exploration of water potential of the river. After exploring different alternative proposals for the dam site it is proposed to build an earth dam of 1050 mtr. length with a spillway in the river bed portion at Tovapodar. The project envisages construction of two contour canals on either side of river to irrigate 10700 Ha. Land. Nagavali Irrigation Project envisages construction of reservoir scheme across the river to provide irrigation facility to 8500 Ha. The Project area comes-under Kalyan Singhpur, Kolnara & Rayagada blocks which is a draught   prone area. The agricultural yields in this area completely depend on the natural rain fall which is inadequate untimely and unevenly disturbed. Consequently the agricultural production which is the only source of income of the people on this locality is below average level. As such the financial status of the people is very low. So RNM has demanded these two irrigation projects, which will absolutely improve the agricultural output and economy of the region to mitigate the misery of the sizable population, mostly belonging to the Schedule Caste & Schedule Tribe.

RNM has put forward other demands namely setting up of two big cold storages one each at Rayagada & Gunupur sub-divisions & one each in nine block headquarters in a public-private partnership-PPP model and fixation of rational electricity tariff. RMN has requested the minister not to consider these as business ventures.

With the growing population and significant expansion, the current market yards of respective towns are becoming increasingly congested, causing considerable inconvenience to both commuters and vendors, especially during the rainy season. The space near Ashoka Talkies, Rayagada may be utillised for Multi-storied Vegetable Vending Mall & commercial space for business. Similarly proper spaces in Gunupur, Tikiri, Muniguda & other towns may be allotted, RNM demanded. 506 acres have been restored from defunct sugar mill, which can be used for setting up of Multi-storied Secretariat for office accommodation to address urban congestion and optimize space utilization, Manch said.

As Rayagada is an aspirational district & 506 acres of land from Jeypore Sugar Company has been restored to Odisha Govt’s records of right, there is a conducive atmosphere to initiate establishment of a Govt medical college on a priority basis in Rayagada. Therubali already has a functional airstrip managed by IMFA. Minister was requested to send a proposal to GOI and establish an airport under UDAAN scheme near Therubali or JK Pur.

Population of Rayagada has increased manifold because of rapid urbanization & industrialization. There is only one dilapidated flyover bridge leading to traffic jam everyday and unintended accidents Manch requested the minister to facilitate establishment of another flyover bridge inside the town over the main market road, for which no land needs to be acquired as the over bridge will run parallel over the main road connecting the existing over bridge. Manch has demanded construction of statues of Bharat Ratna Atal Behari Vajpayee at prominent places of Rayagada & Gunupur headquarters & in all block headquarters. Plying of a day bound daily train from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar in the name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Express was demanded by Manch. Kanak Vardhan patiently listened the demands and assured the members to look into the demands.