Secretary Mines reviews progress of ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ Project NALCO adds 5 more Electric Vehicles between Jagannath Temple and Jagannath Ballav Math under ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ Project

10/08/2018

Bhubaneswar, 10/08/2018: After receiving widespread appreciation from all quarters for launching the free Electric Vehicle (EV) service at different locations in Puri, NALCO today scaled up this project by adding five more vehicles for the benefit of differently-abled, sick person and Senior Citizens. Nalco has now decided to expand the service by including women and small children for such free service. On this occasion one 3-language music CD to promote the Lord Jagannath culture was also launched.

NALCO started five Electric vehicles last month on the eve of Rath Yatra and five more has been added today, taking the total vehicles plying between Jagannath Ballav Math and Jagannath temple, to 10 vehicles. Nalco has also placed two electric vehicles in Puri station for the benefit of tourist and pilgrims. This noble initiative by NALCO will help lakhs of pilgrims and tourists to commute smoothly between Jagannath Ballav Math and Jagannath Temple and also to board train in Puri station.

The free EV service, which will benefit Divyangs and Senior Citizens, was flagged off by Shri. Anil Mukim, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO and Shri Jyoti Prakash Das, District Magistrate and Collector, Puri. Among others, Shri B.K. Thakur, Director (HR) and senior officials of the company were also present on the occasion. This free public service will be maintained by NALCO for the next five years.

Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO, said, ‘’We want Puri to be known across India and the world as one of the best places to visit, for pilgrims and for tourists. Under the ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ project, we are aiming at bringing about significant all-round development to provide required facilities to pilgrims and tourists visiting this Holy City of Lord Jagannath, an experience that can be cherished forever.’’

Apart from launching the free vehicle service, NALCO also lent support to musicians and artists to bring out a 3-language music CD, which will help promote the Lord Jagannath culture. The songs on Lord Jagannath have been sung by prominent singers in Odia, Hindi and Bengali.

As a responsible corporate citizen, NALCO is carrying out a number of activities, including, development and beautification of Gandhi Park, multi-storeyed car parking at sea beach, building 300 rooms Atithi Niwas at Malati Patpur, renovation of Niladri Vihar museum inside Jagannath Temple, providing access to drinking water at various spots in the city, development of heritage corridor, development of Parikrama in Gundicha Temple under Government of India’s ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ project, among other initiatives.