In a compelling address at the 10th Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi outlined an ambitious roadmap for a “Viksit Odisha” that aligns seamlessly with the national vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
The meeting, convened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provided a platform for states to share their developmental journeys and strategise for India’s centenary of independence.
The Odisha Chief Minister began by expressing gratitude to PM Modi for fostering a collaborative environment and acknowledging the nation’s unified response to the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. Codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the strategic counter-terrorism operation neutralised key terror camps across the border, showcasing India’s resolve under Modi’s decisive leadership. “This solidarity strengthens our collective vision for a secure and prosperous India,” the CM Majhi noted.
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Odisha’s economic performance stood out, with a robust growth rate of 7.2% in 2024-25, surpassing the national average of 6.5%. This achievement, attributed to the “double engine” synergy between the state and central governments, underscores Odisha’s role as a growth engine for India.
Hon’ble CM Shri @MohanMOdisha participated in the 10th Governing Council Meeting of @NITIAayog chaired by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Discussions focused on the theme ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’, highlighting the vital role of States… pic.twitter.com/1FwXuiT9tU
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) May 24, 2025
The Chief Minister highlighted PM Modi’s commitment to Odisha, evidenced by his five visits to the state in the past 11 months and the sanctioning of transformative infrastructure projects, including railway initiatives worth ₹73,000 crore and National Highways projects worth ₹4,600 crore, with an additional ₹17,500 crore in the pipeline.
A Vision for Viksit Odisha
Odisha’s Vision 2036 and 2047 documents, set to be launched on June 12, 2025, encapsulate the state’s aspirations to achieve a USD 500 billion economy by 2036, marking the state’s centenary, and a staggering USD 1.5 trillion by 2047. Crafted with inputs from over 3.2 lakh citizens through an AI-analysed online portal, the vision is both inclusive and actionable. The Chief Minister emphasised personal oversight to ensure its effective implementation.
Key pillars of this vision include:
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Agricultural Transformation: Achieving 100% irrigation coverage to boost farmer incomes and productivity, with plans to expand irrigation potential by 15 lakh hectares by 2029-30 through schemes like “CM Kisan.”
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Urbanisation and Infrastructure: Targeting 40% urbanisation by 2036 and 60% by 2047, with a 7,000 sq km metropolitan region planned around Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri. The state is also developing world-class roads, railways, and air connectivity.
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Industrial Growth: Leveraging Odisha’s coastline for port-based special economic zones and attracting investments in textiles, food processing, and new-age industries like IT and Global Capability Centres. The “Skilled in Odisha” initiative has positioned the state as a global skilling hub, with youth securing placements in countries like the UAE, Singapore, and Japan.
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DeepTech and Innovation: Dedicated budgetary support for AI, robotics, and biotech to foster a cutting-edge innovation ecosystem.
Transformative Achievements
The Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s achievements over the past year under the new government, which completes its first term in June 2025:
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Women’s Empowerment: The Subhadra Yojana has empowered over 1 crore women, disbursing ₹10,000 crore directly into their bank accounts. Odisha leads the nation with 16 lakh “Lakhpati Didis,” symbolising financial and social upliftment.
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Education and Healthcare: The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Godabarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya scheme will upgrade 7,000 elementary schools with advanced infrastructure. Integration with Ayushman Bharat ensures cashless healthcare up to ₹5 lakh for over 1 crore families.
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Environmental Sustainability: The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign saw 6.6 crore saplings planted, promoting community-driven environmental conservation.
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Investment and Ease of Doing Business: The Utkarsh Odisha Conclave attracted 593 investment proposals worth ₹16.73 lakh crore, promising 12.88 lakh jobs. The upcoming Odisha Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025, aims to decriminalise minor offences, aligning with the national Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.
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Cultural Heritage: Odisha is enhancing its cultural identity through initiatives like the Bali Yatra and a planned collaboration with the National School of Drama to elevate the Dhanuyatra festival in Bargarh. The development of Hirakud as a Special Tourism Zone and the Buddhist circuit further enriches Odisha’s tourism landscape.
Governance and Social Inclusion
Emphasising a citizen-centric governance model, the Odisha Chief Minister personally engages with citizens to address their concerns, describing it as “not just a forum, but a commitment.” The state’s recruitment drive aims to fill 150,000 government posts transparently over five years, while fiscal discipline has improved public expenditure quality. Social security schemes like Subhadra, alongside enhanced allocations for education, health, and basic amenities, reflect Odisha’s commitment to inclusive growth.
A Call for Collaboration
Concluding the address, Chief Minister Majhi sought continued support from the Government of India and other states to realise Odisha’s transformative vision. Quoting the mantra “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas,” he reiterated Odisha’s pledge to contribute to a developed India while preserving its cultural heritage, encapsulated in the phrase “Vikash Bhi Virasat Bhi.” The speech ended with a patriotic note, invoking “Bande Utkal Janani” and “Jai Hind,” resonating with Odisha’s pride and ambition.
As Odisha strides towards its centenary in 2036 and aligns with India’s vision for 2047, the state’s roadmap at the NITI Aayog meeting signals a future where tradition meets progress, positioning Odisha as a beacon of inclusive and sustainable development.
