BHUBANESWAR: After launching a series of welfare and infrastructure development projects under the State scheme, the Government is going to launch another infrastructure programme called Biju Saharanchal Bidyut Yojana.

The infrastructure development for Commonwealth Games aiming to make the Capital a world class city at a breakneck speed has had an unusual fallout: Alarming increase in gastroenteritis and cholera cases in the national Capital.

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sought a special package with an allocation of Rs 525 cr from the Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC) for three additional sectors to accelerate the pace of development in the State.

The World Bank today approved four loans worth $4.3 billion (about Rs 20,631 crore) to help India finance its infrastructure programmes and further strengthen the capital base of state-run banks. The approved loan includes a a budgetary support of $2 billion for capital infusion in select public sector banks to help them maintain credit growth.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry favours strict monitoring of infrastructure, energy and industry projects to give momentum to the growth of Indian economy for overcoming the adverse impact of slowdown.

It may be mentioned here that various projects involving a record outlay of Rs 2,49,362.95 crore in the Union Budget are to be taken up in the April-June 2009 fiscal quarter.

Infrastructure plays a vital role in any economy and, in particular, in attracting investments. Gujarat realised this many years ago. If Gujarat has been among the most industrialised States of India, it is because of its ability to surge ahead on the infrastructure front irrespective of politics.