Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates state's longest bridge spanning Mahanadi

On December 20, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated state's longest bridge, which spans Mahani River in Gopinathpur, Cuttack district. According to officials, 3.4-kilometre-long bridge connecting Singhanath Pitha and Baideswar in Cuttack district will shorten journey by 45 kilometres, benefitting around five lakh people.

y stated that bridge, which is in shape of a T, was constructed at a cost of Rs 111 crore. On February 28, 2014, Patnaik laid foundation stone for bridge. Hundreds of Congress and BJP workers, including former MLA Debasis Patnaik, were arrested while protesting with black flags in Banki ahe of Patnaik's visit. Opposition activists demanded that Minister of State for Home DS Mishra be fired for his suspected ties to main suspect in kidnapping and murder of a woman teacher in Kalahandi.

Patnaik h inaugurated 2.88-kilometre-long Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Setu over Kathajodi River at Trisulia in July 2017, which was state's longest bridge at time. By way of Barang, bridge connects Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

CM Patnaik Launches Air Health Services For Remote Tribal Districts

On Monday, December 20, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Mukhyamantri Vayu Swasthya Seva' (Air Health Services), under which specialist doctors will be flown to rural districts of state to treat patients with serious diseases. CM Patnaik launched a flight transporting specialised medics to Maoist-infested Malkangiri district, which is controlled by tribals. When doctors arrive in Malkangiri, y will treat those who are suffering from serious illnesses.

'Mukhyamantri Vayu Swasthya Seva' would be provided in tribal-dominated districts of Nabarnagpur, Nuapa, and Kalahandi in first phase, in dition to Malkangiri. Or districts will be covered by initiative in phases, according to Patnaik. 

Also, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a book about state's Gajapati kings. chief minister released book 'Gajapati: A King Without a Kingdom,' written by Ashok Bal, on Saturday, December 17. It tells intriguing biography of Gajapati rulers, beginning with Suryavanshi Gajapati Kapilendra Deb. After Ganga rulers, Kapilendra Deb and his successors continued to utilise regal title of Gajapati. book focusses on a unique aspect of Gajapati rulers' ritual relationship with Lord Jagannath.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)

Image: ANI, Twitter/@Naveen_Odisha