Rs.1,500 crore granted for 24x7 power supply in Odisha's twin cities

The Odisha cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs.1,500 crore State Capital Region Improvement of Power System that aims to provide a fool-proof and efficient power system in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to spend the money over a five years timeframe from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

As electricity consumption has recorded a growth of 51 percent as against 17 percent growth of population in last eight years since 2006, the need has been felt for infrastructure development in power sector in the cities, Energy Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said.

The cabinet also approved Odisha Fisheries Policy, 2015 in order to enhance the productivity and production of fish from the inland, brackish water and marine resources, Chief Secretary G.C. Pati said.

The cabinet also gave its approval to a new scheme Biju Expressway to build a 4-lane economic corridor from Rourkela to Jagadalpur in Chhattisgarh.

Besides, the government approved Odisha Industrial Policy 2015 aiming to attract more investment to the state.