Final Appraisal Mission of the World Bank team on ICRMP (3-5, December 2009)

The Final Appraisal Mission of the World Bank on India Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (ICRMP) visited Orissa from 3rd to 5th December, 2009 to review the preparedness of the State for implementation of the project. The Mission was headed by Mr. N. V.V. Raghava. Other members in the team were Mr Deepak Singh, Sr Infrastructure Specialist, World Bank, Ms Neha Vyas, Environment specialist, Mr Venkat Rao Bayana, Social Expert. Mr. C.V. Sankar, Project Director, ICRMP of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) New Delhi, Sri A.R. Sule, Director, NDMA, Dr G.S. Mandal, Sr Specialist, NDMA also visited the State along with the World Bank Mission. Under the ICRM Project, 149 cyclone shelters and 6 shelter-cum-godowns, 143 Approach roads and 156.98 km of Saline embankments will be constructed in Orissa at a total cost of Rs.576.12 crore. Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) under Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Orissa is the Nodal Agency to implement the project.

On 3rd December 2009, the mission reviewed in detail the preparedness of the State as regards the Procurement, technical, Implementation, Social and Environmental aspects of the project and the arrangements in place in OSDMA and in line Departments particularly Rural Development and Water Resources Department, who will be actually executing different Components of the project. Sri Nikunja K Sundaray, Managing Director OSDMA presented about the total spectrum of preparedness of the State on different aspects, documents prepared as per the stringent guideline of this World Bank assisted India Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (ICRMP).

On 4th December, 2009 the Mission and the NDMA team had interaction with different cell phone service providers in the State including BSNL, AIRCEL, AIRTEL, TATA DOCOMO, TATA telecom service, IDEA and Reliance etc. regarding implementation of Component- A i.e Last Mile Connectivity. Among others, Superintendent of Police, Signal, Orissa, officers of OSDMA, Line Departments participated in the deliberations.

On 5th December, 2009 the Mission and the NDMA team had a wrap up discussion with Managing Director and PIU and Line Department Officers at OSDMA.The team leader expressed that Orissa is substantially prepared to implement the project.

The team had a wrap up discussion with Sri Surya Narayan Patro, Hon’ble Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Orissa on 5th December 09 in the Secretariat Chamber of the Minister. Hon’ble Minister assured the team of all cooperation by the State Government and the Government will provide budgetary support towards State share of the project.

Finally, the World Bank Mission had a discussion with Sri Bijaya Kumar Patnaik, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Government of Orissa at CMO. Mr N. V.V. Raghava, team leader of the World Bank Mission briefed that OSDMA has completed all preparatory works and the State is substantially prepared for implementation of the project. Mr Patnaik assured that all cooperation will be extended from the State Government for the project.

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