Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced his vision to develop Keonjhar as “Eastern India’s second Jamshedpur”, emphasizing that the district’s development is a personal responsibility.
“Keonjhar has long contributed to the state’s prosperity through its mineral wealth. Now is the time to give back to Keonjhar and turn it into Sunaar Kendujhar (Golden Keonjhar),” he said, while laying the foundation stone for a major 420/220 kV grid substation at Uchabali in the Barbil area.
Majhi is a four-time MLA from Keonjhar Assembly constituency.
According to a CMO release, the project, estimated at Rs 1,647 crore, is a significant step towards strengthening the state’s power infrastructure and transforming the mineral-rich Keonjhar region into a major industrial hub.
The new grid substation, along with five new transmission lines inaugurated on the occasion, is expected to benefit over 7.17 lakh electricity consumers in Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumpura, Joda, and Barbil areas by providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply. This is seen as crucial for balancing industrial growth with domestic needs in the mining-dominated region, it added.
Highlighting the project’s features, CM Majhi outlined plans to connect the entire area through a robust network, including a 400 kV LILO line, TTPS-Joda line, and Turumunga-Rairangpur line. The government will implement “Hotline Maintenance”, allowing repairs and maintenance on live transmission lines without cutting off electricity supply to reduce power disruptions. Upgrading the Barbil and Palaspanga grids has been prioritised.
The Chief Minister also stressed the push towards modernisation and digitalisation of Odisha’s power sector.
A new State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) at Mancheswar will act as the “heart” of power management. The STAMS project will enable remote operation of 70 grids for faster fault detection and resolution. By 2036, the state plans to build 34 additional new grid substations, including Odisha’s first 765 kV grids in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, and Gajapati.
Majhi noted the remarkable growth in power consumers — from 16 lakh in 2000 to over 1 crore — and reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining this progress with world-class infrastructure.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in making India self-reliant in solar, wind, and nuclear energy, Majhi said the “double-engine government” is committed to taking development to every village and household in Odisha.
CM Majhi also reiterated the government’s focus on industrial development in Keonjhar. He mentioned ongoing work on the Barbil Ring Road and plans for a mega steel plant. “A proposal has been sent to Japan’s JFE Steel to set up a facility in Keonjhar for producing ‘electrical steel’ to meet future industrial demand. Infrastructure is being developed with a 20-year perspective to support growing industrial power needs,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister attended a special programme organised at Keonjhar District Collector’s office, where he offered floral tributes at the statue of Madhusudan Das on his 178th birth anniversary. He described him as a symbol of Odia identity, self-respect and determination.
Emphasising the state government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, Majhi said that the government is implementing a dedicated infrastructure package to develop Satyabhamapur, the birthplace of Madhusudan Das, into a major tourist destination.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, MP Ananta Nayak and Telkoi MLA Fakir Mohan Naik were also present on the occasion.
