Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: Emphasis is being placed on the development of small towns, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the inauguration of cotton ginning and pressing mill and a new bus terminal at Digapahandi in Ganjam district today.

“We are working to improve the livelihoods of the people in small towns and the development of various civic facilities. We are focusing on roads, drainage facilities and drinking water facilities. All families in Digapahandi are connected to piped water,” said Patnaik. The CM also hoped that all these benefits would improve the quality of life of the people of Digapahandi.

Patnaik further said that the cotton ginning millis a new initiative in the state’s co-operatives and it will also inspire other farmers to diversify their crops.

In the Digapahandi area, only 500 hectares of cotton was previously cultivated, but now it has reached 5,000 hectares. Previously, 4 quintals of cotton was harvested, but now 4 quintals of cotton are being harvested. With an investment of Rs 3.28 crore for the cotton ginning mill, it could create a huge market for cotton farmers in both Ganjam and Gajapati districts.

 The bus terminal will also be able to handle about 100 to 150 buses a day.