Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the valedictory evening of the Gopalpur Beach Festival 2026 in Ganjam district on January 30, marking a grand conclusion to the four-day coastal cultural celebration.
The festival, held from January 27 to 30, blended Odisha’s rich history, tradition, culture, and natural beauty, as highlighted by the Chief Minister. He described it as a harmonious convergence that showcases the state’s uniqueness, Ganjam’s pride, and the vibrant legacy of Odia heritage.
During the event, Chief Minister Majhi launched development projects worth over ₹492 crore for the district. This included the inauguration of 15 projects valued at more than ₹50 crore and the foundation stone laying for 64 projects amounting to ₹442 crore. Key initiatives spanned health infrastructure, hostel facilities, road construction, and other essential areas.
A major highlight was the ₹32 crore allocation for the beautification and upgradation of Gopalpur Beach, aimed at enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
In a significant cultural announcement, the Chief Minister directed the restoration of the honorary ‘Upendra Bhanja Chair’ at Berhampur University to honour the contributions of the renowned Odia poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. The chair, established earlier but inactive for years, will now be revived. Additionally, he declared that Upendra Bhanja’s birth anniversary (starting May 16) will be observed as a state-level festival for seven days annually.
Addressing the gathering, including tourists and local residents, Majhi emphasised Ganjam’s pioneering role in Odisha’s art, literature, culture, and history. He praised the festival as a synergy of art, culture, and tourism, creating livelihood opportunities for locals, self-help groups, women, and youth, while providing a dignified platform for artists and artisans.
The Chief Minister commended district residents for their beach cleanup drives under the ‘Beach Festival Cleanliness Yatra,’ promoting a message of clean and beautiful Odisha. He noted with pride that Patisonapur Beach in Ganjam has secured the Blue Flag certification for the third time, and efforts are ongoing for Gopalpur and Nolia Nua Gaon beaches to achieve the same international eco-label.
On the economic front, he highlighted the ₹16,554 crore investment for the expansion and modernisation of Gopalpur Port, which will boost its cargo handling capacity to 50 million metric tonnes and generate employment for around 5,000 youth. He also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement for a major port at Bahuda with an investment of ₹21,500 crore, further strengthening Odisha’s port-based economy.
The Chief Minister performed the traditional Samudra Aarti (sea worship) and released the festival souvenir ‘Shamuka,’ a coffee table book on Ganjam, and the ‘Ganjam-360’ app.
Ministers Gokulananda Mallick (Fisheries and Animal Resources Development) and Bibhuti Bhushan Jena (Commerce & Transport, Steel & Mines), along with several MLAs including Purna Chandra Sethi (Khalikote), Saroj Kumar Padhi (Askha), Krishna Chandra Nayak (Chatrapur), Pratap Chandra Nayak (Kabisooryanagar), and Siddhant Mahapatra (Digapahandi), were present.
District Collector Kirtivasan V delivered the welcome address, and Brahmapur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prathamesh Arvind Rajashirke proposed the vote of thanks.
The event underscored the government’s commitment to integrated development, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism in Odisha.
