Bhubaneswar: The urban local bodies located in mine-rich areas will be brought under the coverage area of the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC).

This was decided at a meeting of the corporation presided over by chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the secretariat here on Thursday.

Political observers feel that the decision was taken to woo urban voters in these areas ahead of the civic polls due early next year.

Various development activities will be taken up in these areas by the corporation out of its funds contributed by the mine owners. Projects - such as drinking water, housing, sanitation, road communication, creation of new livelihood opportunities, skill enhancement, health services, reduction in maternal and infant mortality rate, development of natural environment, soil moister conservation and enhancement of irrigation facilities - will be taken up on priority basis.

Some 705 villages in thirty blocks of nine mineral-rich districts will be covered by the corporation. Padhi directed various departments to submit revised project proposals within 15 days.

OMBADC managing director Uma Nanduri said that in first phase target was set to construct around 29,829 houses by May, 2018. So far, 29,640 beneficiaries have been given the first instalment for construction of houses. A total of 15,321 houses have already been completed and it is expected that the construction of remaining houses being constructed through panchayati raj and drinking water departments will be completed within the scheduled time.

Similarly, 244 drinking water projects have been sanctioned under the OMBADC out of which 25 projects have already been completed. Water sources have been identified in 208 projects and 1tenders for 40 projects have been floated.

It was also decided afforestation and soil-moisture increasing activities such as block plantation, avenue plantation, assisted natural regeneration, urban plantation, seedling distribution will be taken up.