The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on Monday launched the country’s first project aimed at providing urban amenities in rural areas.

The project was launched within three months of President Abdul Kalam’s announcement of the same during his maiden speech on the occasion of the 54th Republic Day in New Delhi. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Chairman & Managing Director of ONGC Subir Raha inaugurated the project in Maicherra area of South Tripura.

Addressing media persons here Mr Raha said a cluster of six villages was formed under the project during the initial phase to provide basic amenities like sufficient power supply, standardised education, health services, surface communication and eco-friendly habitation to the villagers. He said ONGC has already decided to eradicate poverty from the villages by the next five years. The project would be implemented in other parts of the country soon. “A 180 kw capacity mini thermal power unit – Bijli Ghar, big kitchen service centre for students, ultra modern library and social service centre are also set up in the area,” Mr Raha added.

ONGC has also made efforts for the development of the area under the project and hopes to narrow down the gap in development between rural and urban areas. The kitchen service centre will provide food to students hoping to reduce drop-outs.

The project was included in President A P J Abdul Kalam’s Vision 2020 and was formally announced during his Republic Day speech.