Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 71 development projects worth over ₹1900 crore in Keonjhar district, declaring that “this is the perfect time for Keonjhar’s development.”
Addressing a large gathering at the Dharanidhar University ground in Keonjhar, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for 35 projects costing ₹1708 crore and inaugurated 36 completed projects valued at ₹194 crore.
The projects cover education, healthcare, irrigation, roads, tourism, skill development, and rural infrastructure. Key initiatives include a ₹50 crore Regional Plant Resource Centre, 147 model Anganwadi centres (₹38.22 crore), block-level stadiums in six blocks (₹101 crore), additional classrooms and ICT labs (₹21.50 crore), a forest training school in Champua (₹14 crore), and a mining sector skill training centre under DMF (₹9.60 crore).
Majhi described Keonjhar as more than just a district — a land of abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage, and hardworking people that has long powered Odisha’s economy through minerals, forests, and agriculture. He highlighted that development has accelerated “like adding a rocket engine” since the foundation stone laying of the Maa Tarini project.
The CM outlined ambitious plans to position Keonjhar as a major steel city, upgrade most approach roads to six-lane standards, construct a ring road in Barbil, and transform the district into one of Odisha’s best within the next 3-4 years.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to balanced regional growth, Majhi said his administration is actively addressing historical disparities. He noted that, soon after taking office, a task force was formed for North and South Odisha Development Councils, which will become fully operational once the report is received.
He pointed to recent similar project launches in Sambalpur (₹950 crore) and Bargarh (₹980 crore), emphasising that development efforts span all 30 districts throughout the year.
Majhi reiterated his vision of a “Golden Odisha” by focusing on education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, investment, and employment. He stressed that a prosperous Odisha by 2036 is essential for achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, adding, “Every region will be developed, and every district will see industrialisation.”
During the event, the Chief Minister also released a coffee table book titled *Birds of Keonjhar* and distributed financial assistance cheques to women beneficiaries from various Self-Help Groups.
The programme was attended by MP Ananta Nayak, MLAs Sanatan Mahakud, Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik, and Akhila Chandra Naik, District Collector Vishal Singh, DIG Brijesh Ray, SP Nitin Kushalkar, DFO Dhanraj HD, and other dignitaries.
