Sakhigopal Declared as Notified Area Council (NAC)

Bhubaneswar – 13/03/2024 (Saswat TV) – Ahead of the upcoming general elections, the State Government announced the formation of 35 new Notified Area Councils (NACs) across Odisha. Among them, Satyabadi—a prominent historical and tourist destination in Puri district—had long been a subject of demand to be declared an NAC. The delay in addressing this demand had stirred discontent among intellectual circles.

Responding to the rising voices, a protest was held on 5th March 2024 (Tuesday afternoon) in front of the Singhadwara (main entrance) of the Sakhigopal Temple, organized by Satyabadi Swabhiman Mancha. Participants included Mancha convenor Satyabadi Das, Rabindranath Sadanangi, Nabaghan Satapathy, Debaraj Nayak, Diganta Pati, Chinmayee Rath, and many intellectuals, social workers, and temple servitors.

Today, that long-awaited aspiration was fulfilled. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik announced the formation of 22 new NACs in 13 districts and declared that Bhanjanagar NAC in Ganjam would be upgraded to a municipality.

As per the Chief Minister’s declaration, the newly announced NACs include: Manamunda, Puruna Cuttack, and Baunsuni in Boudh; Loisingha and Sindhekela in Balangir; Sohela in Bargarh; Balia and Khaira in Balasore; Dhamara in Bhadrak; Rasol in Dhenkanal; Kujanga in Jagatsinghpur; Narla and Madanpur Rampur in Kalahandi; Bolagarh in Khordha; Sharankul in Nayagarh; Sakhigopal and Kakatpur in Puri; Rengali and Bamanda in Sambalpur; and Subalaya, Ulunda, and Rampur in Subarnapur district.

This decision by the Chief Minister is based on public demand and the developmental needs observed during the various district visits of 5T Chairman Shri Kartik Pandian. The new NACs aim to meet growing population demands, infrastructure development, and economic growth.

It is noteworthy that just last month, the Chief Minister had announced the creation of 35 new NACs and 5 new municipalities. With the declaration of Sakhigopal as an NAC, a wave of happiness has swept through the local population. Shashwat TV extends warm congratulations to the individuals and stakeholders who played key roles behind the scenes in making this long-standing dream a reality.