Bhubaneswar, March 20: MLAs cutting across party lines today expressed their concern over the non-completion of urban infrastructure development projects in Puri and Bhubaneswar being undertaken under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

The members were worried especially because the Nabakalebar of Lord Jagannath scheduled on July, is just three months away. An estimated 50 lakh pilgrims are expected to come to Puri to witness the event.

The deadline for the projects under the urban infrastructure and governance sub-mission of the flagship central scheme passed in March last year. The term of the other component of the scheme - basic services to the urban poor - will expire by end of this month.

"What will be the fate of the incomplete projects after the deadline?" asked senior BJD legislator Amar Prasad Satpathy.

Steel and mines minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick said the government had written letters to the Centre, urging it to provide the due assistance to complete the ongoing projects at the earliest.

The chief minister had also met the Union ministers and requested regarding this, keeping Nabakalebar in view. "However, the Centre has not responded. If the Centre does not provide funds, the state government will ensure completion of these projects out of its own resources," he said.

Drinking water supply and sewerage projects in Puri will be completed before May, promised Mallick.

He said the state government was constructing a storm water channel at a cost of Rs 30 crore from its own resources to evacuate rainwater from Puri. Wells were also being dug to facilitate water supply in the pilgrim town. "Development commissioner U.N. Behera is monitoring the progress of these projects regularly," said the minister.