Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's helicopter trip to Cuttack draws flak

Cuttack, Feb 4: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Feb 3 flew in helicopter to Cuttack where he laid the foundation of two projects and inaugurated a medical facility and a bridge, drawing criticism from various quarters.

The distance between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack is around 20 km. Patnaik's chopper landed inside the 'protected zone' of Barabati fort here, which too was denounced.

Flying helicopter over a protected monument like Barabati Fort is violation of provisions of the Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1904 and also under the Orissa Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1956, said environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty.

It is believed that Patnaik took the aerial route in the wake of attack on him by some people who threw eggs at him.

Patnaik laid foundation stone of two projects and inaugurated a medical facility at the cancer and paediatric hospitals here.

He also inaugurated three other facilities for students at an engineering school and a university here on the day. He also inaugurated a bridge over Mahanadi river in neighbouring Banki sub-division.

PTI