In a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan today, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inspected the ongoing construction of the ambitious ‘Kalamanḍal’ auditorium project in Bhubaneswar and issued directives to expedite its completion.
The state-of-the-art facility, poised to become Odisha’s largest auditorium, is being developed near the Sainik School on 9.85 acres of land at an estimated cost of ₹173 crore by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
The ‘Kalamanḍal’ complex will feature a main 2,000-seat auditorium alongside a 500-seat open-air theatre, making it an ideal venue for hosting various government programs, conferences, and cultural events in the capital. Emphasizing the need for timely delivery, the Chief Minister instructed officials to accelerate the works to ensure the project is fully operational by May 2026. He also advised incorporating comprehensive ancillary facilities for future scalability, including adequate parking arrangements to enhance accessibility.
The meeting also delved into plans for bolstering sports infrastructure across Kendujhar district, with discussions centered on six key sports projects aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting grassroots sports development. These include:
- Two modern sports complexes in Ranki and Raikala areas.
- A football stadium integrated with indoor and outdoor gaming facilities at Kali Padia.
- A state-of-the-art swimming pool on the DN High School campus.
- An archery academy at Narangpur.
- A 100-bed hostel dedicated to handball players in Kendujhar town.
These initiatives are expected to transform Kendujhar into a hub for sports excellence, providing world-class training and residential amenities for athletes.
The review session was attended by key dignitaries, including Minister for Odia Language, Literature, Culture, and Sports Suryabanshi Suraj; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sashwat Mishra; Principal Secretary, Finance Department Sanjiv Mishra; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports Department Sachin Ramchandra Yadav; Secretary, Culture Department Vijay Ketan Upadhyay; Director of Sports Dr. Edula Vijay; and senior officials from both the Sports and Culture departments.
This development underscores the Odisha government’s commitment to cultural preservation and sports promotion, aligning with broader visions for infrastructure-led growth in the state.
