Naveen inaugurates new jail

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated a new sub-jail with enhanced capacity at Bhanjanagara in Ganjam district.

Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore, the sub-jail has accommodation capacity of around 300 inmates - 250 men and 50 women.

It has 12 cells to house hardcore criminals.

"It will take about a fortnight to shift all inmates to the new jail. Presently around 200 inmates are housed in the old jail. Police will provide security during shifting of the prisoners to the new building," said Superintendent of Bhanjanagara jail, Sarbeswar Sahu.

Shifting of the jail from the over 100-year-old building to the new one was urgently needed from security point of view as it was in news for frequent escape of inmates and murder of an undertrial prisoner in 2013.

The chief minister also inaugurated the bus-stand and town-hall at Bhanjanagara during his visit to the sub divisional town of his home district.

He also laid foundation stone for 24 projects involving roads, flood protection wall, three bridges and shelter homes for the homeless.