Kendrapada: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced that the second year of his government will mark a series of transformative initiatives beginning from Kendrapada, which is set to be made a model district.
During a visit to Kendrapada, the Chief Minister reviewed the district’s overall development status at a high-level meeting held at the District Inspection Office. He took stock of administrative performance, infrastructure growth, and social welfare delivery.
Kendrapada would become a launchpad for the state government’s second-year development agenda, the CM said while addressing officials and public representatives.
The meeting put focus on strengthening of water resource infrastructure, accelerating industrial growth, and expanding the district’s renowned mangrove cover.
Highlighting the significance of eco-tourism, the CM instructed the administration to intensify efforts in Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha to attract more tourists while preserving ecological integrity.
Plans are underway to inaugurate multiple new projects in the district, the Chief Minister announced. Notably, discussions were held on setting up a new medical college in Kendrapada and implementing the parikrama (circumambulation) project around the sacred Shri Baladevjew Temple.
During discussion Collector Smrutiranjan Pradhan and other officials, Majhi raised concerns over delays in select projects and issued instructions to address bottlenecks urgently. Departments including forest conservation, tourism, rural development, health, education, irrigation, transport, and women’s empowerment were reviewed in detail.
Appreciating the pace of progress across sectors, Majhi highlighted improvements in canal and road construction, drinking water supply, school and hospital infrastructure, and the reach of welfare programs like the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Yojana and Mission Shakti. He lauded the district’s performance in grievance redressal, mid-day meals, and allowances distribution.
Kendrapara’s achievements under the Subhadra Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana also came in for special praise, with the district securing the second rank in both schemes.
The Chief Minister asked the police to adopt a firm stance against Bangladeshi infiltrators and directed officials to crack down on issues such as illegal sand trafficking and law and order lapses. Shortages in staff across departments were also discussed, with the Chief Minister assuring timely intervention.
Majhi asked the administration to prepare a comprehensive roadmap within a month to elevate Kendrapada into a model district, with special focus on industrial growth, tourism, renewable energy, and uninterrupted drinking water and healthcare access.
Earlier, the CM led a Tiranga Yatra from the Mausi Maa Temple to the historic Shri Baladevjew Temple. After offering prayers to the Chaturdha Murti, he flagged off two outreach initiatives—the Krishi Rath (Agriculture Rath) and Revenue Rath—to mark the district’s next phase of governance delivery.