Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has asked various government departments to put the work of the high-rise building projects on fast track to ensure their timely completion.

The chief minister recently reviewed the projects' status, including those of the multi-storey office building at Unit-V, second Idco Tower at Mancheswar, Krishi Bhavan near the Assembly, Abhisekh Bhavan at Governor's House, convention centre at the secretariat and the Chandaka Incubation Centre. He also fixed the deadline for each project.

According to the direction, the Unit-V building will be completed by July 2018, while the Krishi Bhavan will be thrown open to the public by August 2018 and Abhisekh Bhavan, by the end of this year.

"Many of the building projects are nearing completion. The most important projects are the multi-storey high-rise building, Krishi Bhavan, Abhisekh Bhavan and the second Idco Tower. We had also briefed him on several upcoming projects, and he directed us to complete the modalities well before time," said a works department official.

During the review meeting, officials of various departments informed the chief minister about some of the upcoming important high-rise building projects, including the multi-storey staff quarters at Unit-VIII, multi-level car parking facility at Nandankanan and the new complex on the civil court premises among others.

Besides, the administration is also planning to build a Shakti Bhavan for department of energy, a Kala Mandal with a seating capacity of about 2,000 viewers for the tourism department, a new academy building for the skill development department and a Prakriti Bhavan for the department of forest and environment.

"The high-rise buildings will change the face infrastructure. Some of the major offices will get new facilities, while plans are there to develop buildings to be utilised for public purpose. The Kala Mandap is one among them where cultural events will be held," said the official.