Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana in Nabarangpur on February 13, 2026, fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of the people.
The scheme also began simultaneously from Bhadrak, Baripada, Sambalpur, and Berhampur. Nearly 500 pilgrims from five districts, accompanied by escort officers, travelled to Puri for darshan of Lord Jagannath.
Majhi said the scheme ensures that every Odia, especially senior citizens and widows from economically weaker sections, can have the opportunity to visit the Jagannath Temple with dignity. Beneficiaries will receive AC bus travel, accommodation at Brundabati Niwas, and Mahaprasad. The government aims to cover 5,000 beneficiaries this year and over one lakh in the next four years.
On the same occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for Nabarangpur’s first government medical college at Patalguda. Spread over 50 acres, the college will offer 100 MBBS seats and house a 420-bed hospital. Majhi emphasised that the new institution will provide advanced healthcare within the district, reducing the need for residents to travel outside for treatment.
He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 177 development projects worth Rs 446 crore, including education, healthcare, roads, bridges, hostels, forest protection, and Anganwadi centres. Majhi reiterated that despite Nabarangpur’s distance from the state capital, development will never remain out of reach for the district.
Deputy CM Pravati Parida described the scheme as the Chief Minister’s dream project, while Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding medical colleges across Odisha. Tribal Affairs Minister Nityananda Gond thanked the CM for fulfilling a decades-old demand within just 18 months.
