Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for a 400/220 kV grid substation at Uchhabali in Keonjhar district on Tuesday, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das.
The Rs 1647-crore project aims to transform Keonjhar into an industrial hub and provide uninterrupted electricity to more than 7.17 lakh consumers across Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumapura, Joda, and Barbil.
The Chief Minister inaugurated five new transmission lines along with the substation, promising a robust power network to balance industrial and domestic demand. He announced that Keonjhar would be developed as the “second Jamshedpur of eastern India,” highlighting its mineral-rich potential.
Majhi emphasised modern features like hotline maintenance, which allows repairs without power cuts, and digital monitoring through the new State Load Dispatch Centre at Mancheswar. He confirmed that Odisha will build 34 new grid substations by 2036, including 765 kV grids in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, and Gajapati.
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to Keonjhar’s development, stating that the district deserves its rightful share after contributing to Odisha’s prosperity. He also revealed plans for a mega steel plant with Japanese firm JFE Steel to produce electrical steel, ensuring infrastructure meets industrial demand for the next 20 years.
Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo added that the project will extend power supply to Sundargarh, Angul, and Boudh, ensuring electricity reaches remote areas by 2028.
