Keonjhar: In a major push to infrastructure in Keonjhar, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 71 development projects worth over Rs 1900 crore in the district.
The Chief Minister, who attended a large gathering at the Dharanidhar University ground in Keonjhar, laid the foundation stone for 35 projects worth Rs 1708 crore and inaugurated 36 projects completed at a cost of Rs 194 crore.
Officials said the projects cover education, healthcare, irrigation, roads, tourism, skill development, and rural infrastructure. Key initiatives include a Rs 50 crore Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), 147 model Anganwadi centres (Rs 38.22 crore), block-level stadiums in six blocks (Rs 101 crore), additional classrooms and ICT labs (Rs 21.50 crore), a forest training school in Champua (Rs 14 crore), and a mining sector skill training centre under DMF (Rs 9.60 crore).
Describing Keonjhar as a land of abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage, and hardworking people, he said the district 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 (Rs 950 crore) and Bargarh (Rs 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.”
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 (SHGs).
