By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Our resolve is to bring about a major change in the lifestyle of the people along with the economic growth of Sambalpur, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan through a video message on the occasion of ‘Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav – 2026’.
In this program organized to bring Sambalpur’s rich literature, unique culture and folk art to the world, Shri Pradhan informed about the various major projects being carried out by the ‘double engine’ government of the Centre and the state for the development of Sambalpur and reiterated the resolve to make it a modern and developed city. Terming Sambalpur’s culture as ‘culture of the soil’, he said that Sambalpur is a successful collection of rich literature and unique culture. Tihar, Parva and folk art here are not just entertainment, but also our identity. ‘Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav’ is a beautiful effort to bring this identity to the world. This festival is a symbol of social cohesion. It is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of caste, religion, color, to celebrate the festival together with joy and enthusiasm. Organizing a ‘Youth Festival’ especially during the festival will help connect the youth with their language and values, which is a key objective of the National Education Policy-2020. When the young talents of Sambalpur perform arts like ‘Rangbati’ and ‘Dalkhai’, then one feels that our culture is in safe hands.
The Minister informed that the double engine government is working on many big projects to make Sambalpur a modern and developed city. An outlay of Rs 2450 crore has been made for Nabakalber in Burla Bhimsar. Similarly, the work of the Ring Road worth Rs 1437 crore will start soon to solve the traffic problem in the city. In addition, work has been started on a project worth Rs 600 crore for the restoration of Ayodhya Sagar, Rs 160 crore for the development of Mahanadi River Front and Rs 450 crore for the 24-hour clean drinking water supply project with a capacity of 110 million liters per day. Work has been started on the first phase of Hirakud tourism development worth Rs 100 crore and about Rs 85 crore for the development of Drevigarh. The construction of an aqua park at Basantapur is underway at a cost of Rs 100 crore. An alternative national highway is planned to be built from Sambalpur to Jharsuguda.
Sambalpur: New Veterinary and Animal Husbandry College, Bridge from Ma’ Ghanteswari Temple to Chipilima, Burla Ring Road, Remed-Hirakud 4 lane road, Software Technology Park and CBG Plant will give a new identity to the city. Along with this, the dream of modern bus stand, 100 electric buses, multilevel car parking, cultural center, improvement of drainage and sewerage and modernization of Sambalpur Railway Station is going to come true soon. All these projects will strengthen the economy of Sambalpur and bring a huge change in the lifestyle of the people here.
To make Sambalpur a major hub in the field of education, a grant of Rs 100 crore has been given to Sambalpur University under PM-USHA scheme and Rs 20 crore each to Gangadhar Meher University and State Open University. While a new central school has become functional in Kuchinda, the much-awaited dream of the people of Redhakhol to establish a central school has also been fulfilled. 22 schools in the district have been included in PM Shri scheme and 2 schools in ‘Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Pratama Vidyalaya Yojana’. All these steps will help our students build a bright future.
Along with this, the organization of Pallishri Mela along with Lok Mahotsav is making the Prime Minister’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan a success. The Minister said that the progress of Sambalpur will pave the way for a developed Odisha and sought everyone’s cooperation to make the city clean and beautiful. Shri Pradhan thanked all the members of the Culture, Tourism Department of the Government of Odisha and the District Cultural Council, Sambalpur for highlighting art, culture and tradition through ‘Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav’.
