Bhubaneswar, Aug. 29: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today went on an inauguration and foundation stone-laying spree in the city ahead of the Local Self Government Day on Monday.
A fruit market complex was inaugurated near the Unit-II market building while foundation stones were laid for a new building for the cardiology department at BMC Hospital in Old Town, urban health centres at Dumduma and Patia along with a night shelter for the homeless at Ghatikia.
Besides, street lights on some roads were also inaugurated today.
A Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation official said that the inaugurations and foundation stone laying would continue till August 31 - the Local Self-Government Day and the local urban body had planned a large number of projects worth around Rs 402 crore to be launched on the occasion.
"We have kept ready a number of projects for the August 31. While many projects will be inaugurated, work on several other projects will start from this day. We will try to finish these projects by next year," said a senior corporation official.
However, local residents are sceptical.
"We know how slow the government system works here. These projects will be inaugurated after two or three years. The government should try to take up the projects expeditiously and inaugurate them the same day next year," said Ratikant Sahu, a resident.
Work on the fruit market that was inaugurated today started in August 2012 after the general administration department handed over the land to the municipal corporation. This project, which cost around Rs 2 crore, can accommodate at least 72 fruit vendors. The reason for the long delay is believed to be stiff opposition from garment traders, a subsequent legal battle and the corporation's indifference.
Besides, the shops in this market complex have not been allotted to any vendors and this process would take another six months.
"It would have been better if the shops could begin operating now. We hope the authorities will allot the shops at the earliest," said Surendra Kuanr, a fruit vendor.
