NandapurSept 15 [UDN}:: Koraput District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan visited Nandapur block on Wednesday and reviewed various educational institutions, development initiatives and ongoing construction projects across the block.
During his visit, the Collector inspected the NEIFER solar projects in Julagir, Paduwa and Chatuwa panchayats, the Anganwadi Centre and Panchayat office at Kulabir, educational institutions, several ongoing construction projects, shade plantation activities being undertaken for coffee cultivation, and land prepared for black pepper cultivation.
He was accompanied by CDO Benudhar Sabar, BDO Durgaprasad Dora, Tahasildar Debabrata Maharana, CDPO Minatibala Patnaik, Assistant Executive Engineer Prakash Pradhan, representatives of the voluntary organisation RASS and other officials.
At Julabir village, the Collector visited an innovative agricultural and power-generation project being developed on around 5 acres of land by the Alekh Mahima Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), comprising 513 farmer members, with support from an international organisation and local voluntary organisation RASS. A total of 1,765 solar panels have been installed under the project, which is now nearing completion.
The project is being developed at a cost of more than ₹6 crore under the PM-KUSUM scheme and is expected to become one of the first farmer-organisation-managed power-generation projects of its kind in the country. The project will generate approximately 1 MW of electricity.
The Collector interacted with farmers, FPO members and representatives of the organisations involved in the project. He appreciated the cultivation of various horticultural and economically valuable crops underneath the solar panels and observed that the initiative could serve as an inspiration for other farmer groups.
The Collector also visited the Julabir Panchayat office and Paduwa Higher Secondary School. He inspected the site where new classrooms are being constructed for the school’s +2 programme. During the inspection, he noticed damaged ceilings in classrooms, smart classrooms and the library, with water leaking through them. Expressing displeasure over the condition, he directed officials to demolish the unsafe building and construct new classrooms.
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of the school hostel and sought details from the authorities regarding violent incidents that had occurred there in recent days. He directed the concerned authorities to submit a proposal for construction of a new hostel through the appropriate extension officer.
When alumni and others raised complaints about the absence of toilets and a dining room at the school, the Collector instructed the BDO to take immediate steps to resolve the issues.
The Collector further inspected the Majhiguda bridge, the Chatuwa Revenue Inspector’s office, and an ongoing sub-health centre construction project being undertaken by the Rural Development (RD) authorities. Finding the progress of the works unsatisfactory, he expressed displeasure and directed the concerned officials to expedite the projects.
At Turuba and Chatuwa, he reviewed shade plantation activities being carried out under watershed projects to support coffee cultivation and interacted with farmers regarding the progress and future prospects of the initiative.
He also visited a black pepper cultivation field covering around 6.5 acres being developed through women’s groups associated with the VDVK initiative in Chatuwa and Golur. The Collector discussed the cultivation programme with farmers and ITDA officials and reviewed the steps being taken to promote income-generating agricultural activities in the area.
The visit focused on reviewing the progress of ongoing development projects, improving educational infrastructure, strengthening agricultural
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