Bhubaneswar, 27 August (H.S.): On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Puja, Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan today laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various social infrastructure projects of Tata Steel Foundation in Angul and Dhenkanal, while also launching a large-scale plantation drive.
In Angul’s Banarpal, the Union Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for several social infrastructure initiatives of Tata Steel Foundation. He performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a 20 km-long solar-powered street lighting project from Santri Chhak to Mahidhar Dei Hatura, as well as a 3 km street lighting project along NH-55 from Itapathar to Nuahata.
At Banarpal block’s Nuahata, Shri Pradhan also inaugurated the construction of cement concrete roads and drainage, a community centre, high-mast lighting, and street light facilities. Similarly, in Hindol and Odapada blocks of Dhenkanal, he inaugurated an information centre, Narendra Pur School facilities, and lighting infrastructure, including high-mast and street lights.
Extending his best wishes to Tata Steel Foundation, Shri Pradhan said that the street lighting initiatives will ensure safer and easier movement for local residents, while the newly launched social infrastructure projects will significantly improve the quality of life in the region.
Prior to the event, the Minister participated in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign by planting trees at the Tata Steel Meramandali Biodiversity Park in Shibpur, Dhenkanal. He appreciated Tata Steel Foundation’s innovative efforts to create forests in the industrial region to protect the environment.
Shri Pradhan noted that the campaign, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an emotional initiative that promotes environmental protection through plantation and public awareness. “Planting a tree means creating a life,” he said, urging everyone to begin from their own homes and collectively turn the plantation drive into a people’s movement.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
