Bhubaneswar, April 10 (NationPress) The Odisha Cabinet convened on Friday to sanction 11 significant proposals across five distinct departments, presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

One of the pivotal decisions made by the Odisha Cabinet was the endorsement of the construction of modern bus stands equipped with state-of-the-art amenities under the ambitious "Atal Bus Stand" initiative throughout the state.

To enhance public transport infrastructure and facilities across Odisha, the state government has initiated the "Atal Bus Stand (ABS)" scheme, aiming to oversee the construction, development, renovation, operation, maintenance, and management of bus stands throughout the region.

This scheme is designed to unify all public bus stands in Odisha, which includes those established under previous initiatives and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), creating a consistent framework for effective management and standards statewide.

Within the Atal Bus Stand Scheme, bus stands will be established at district headquarters, sub-divisional headquarters, block headquarters, ULBs, and other vital locations, including tourist spots in Odisha.

The bus stands will be classified into "A", "B", and "C" categories based on the public's requirements and the necessity for substantial bus transportation and communication facilities in those areas.

The execution of the "Atal Bus Stand (ABS)" Scheme will be managed by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation under the Commerce and Transport Department, with a total budget allocation of Rs 3,400 crore approved for its implementation through the Financial Year (FY) 2031–32.

While briefing the media on other significant proposals receiving Cabinet approval, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg remarked that the Water Resources Department contributed five major proposals, demonstrating the state government's commitment to infrastructure development and empowering farmers.

Among these was a Rs 135 crore irrigation project in the Cuttack district aimed at irrigating 3,641 hectares of land across 76 villages using an underground pipeline system, which also supports micro-irrigation.

This project will entail the construction of a reservoir on the Hadua river near Kharod village in Cuttack district, along with a comprehensive distribution system to provide reliable irrigation to the 3,641 hectares of cultivable land in the drought-affected areas of the Narasinghpur, Badamba, and Tigiria blocks.

In terms of water management, Garg noted that the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has introduced a comprehensive Operation and Maintenance Policy for Rural Drinking Water Supply-2026.

This policy encourages community involvement through village-level committees, gram panchayats, and self-help groups to ensure enhanced water quality, distribution, and maintenance of infrastructure.

In the energy sector, a significant infrastructure initiative was approved for the establishment of a 2x500 MVA grid substation at Basudevpur in Keonjhar district, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,647 crore.

The project, expected to be completed within three years, is set to bolster the power supply in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts.

Chief Secretary Garg reiterated that the Cabinet's decisions emphasize the state government's priority on infrastructure enhancement, irrigation expansion, improved public services, and administrative reforms.