Berhampur: The state govt recently wrote to different department secretaries for comprehensive development of Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur towns in the Ganjam district.The additional secretary of planning and convergence department, Y. Vijay, wrote to the secretaries in response to Berhampur MP Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy’s suggestions which he gave to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Vijay asked for appropriate action on the proposals for the comprehensive development of these urban areas in the district.The proposals include the integration of peripheral panchayats into Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC), climate-resilient infrastructure and water resource management, underground cabling and the development of modern transport systems. They also cover the development of a city centre and regional trading hub, sustainable tourism and cultural preservation, smart city technology, disaster mitigation and preparedness, development of urban forests, revitalisation of water bodies and development of tourism sites.Panigrahy wrote to the CM on April 25, requesting comprehensive development work for Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur urban local bodies for the socio-economic development of the residents and their comprehensive infrastructure development. “Berhampur is the biggest trading centre in southern Odisha, while Gopalpur, a sea-shore town in the district, is one of the major tourist destinations. Chhatrapur, an NAC town, is the district headquarters of Ganjam district. Hundreds of people from far-off places visit these urban areas every day for business purposes in Berhampur, while visitors from across the country and abroad visit Gopalpur to enjoy its pleasant climate,” Panigrahy said.“Underground cabling and climate-resilient infrastructure in these urban areas are needed as these towns are considered cyclone-prone areas. In the past, these areas faced several devastating cyclones like Phailin, Hudhud and Titli. The areas remained in darkness for several days when the power infrastructures were damaged in the calamities,” he added.“The development of infrastructure facilities in these urban areas is urgently needed to attract more visitors and provide hassle-free services to them,” Panigrahy said. He thanked the CM for directing the secretaries to his proposals. “I hope different departments will take prompt action for the implementation of his proposals,” he added.