Bhubaneswar: Odisha celebrated its 91st foundation day with a state-level event at Suando village in Puri district, the birthplace of Pandit Gopabandhu Das.
Participating in the event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government has initiated a tradition of organising Odisha Day events at the birthplaces of eminent personalities to connect the youth with their legacy.
After arriving at Suando, the Chief Minister visited Gopabandhu Das’s ancestral home, paid obeisance at Lord Radha Binod Bihari, offered floral tributes at Gopabandhu Park, and went around the Gopabandhu Museum. Majhi also attended a public meeting at Utkalmani Gopabandhu Smruti Mahavidyalaya in Sakhigopal.
Speaking at the function, Majhi asserted that the people of Odisha are set to enter a new phase of growth and prosperity. He said the state will emerge as a key growth engine for India. He described Gopabandhu Das as a national inspiration whose sacrifices shaped the destiny of the people of Odisha.
The Chief Minister announced a Rs 585 crore project for the development of Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya and surrounding areas. While Rs 90 crore will be spent on reviving the historic Bakulbana as a cultural and educational hub, Rs 495 crore will be utilised for redevelopment of the Satyabadi region, including a heritage corridor.
Majhi said the state government remains committed to preserving and promoting Odia language, literature, and traditions. Referring to Lord Jagannath as the spiritual anchor of Odias, he reiterated plans to develop Puri as a global religious and tourism destination.
A world-class Shri Jagannath Museum and Library will be established in Puri at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. Restoration of heritage sites such as Gundicha Temple, Emar Math, and Raghunandan Library has also been planned. The proposed Shamuka project, spread over 1,500 acres, aims to transform Puri into a premier international tourism hub.
The CM also announced plans for a World Tourism Centre, a cruise terminal, and an airport in Puri, along with the expansion of the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway. Chilika Lake will also be developed into a world-class ecotourism destination.
On infrastructure, he said national highway projects worth nearly Rs 80,000 crore are underway in the state. Key upcoming projects include a Rs 9,000 crore Brahmapur–Jeypore road, the Namo Expressway from Paralakhemundi to Ambabhona, and the 969-km Atal Expressway connecting Motu in Malkangiri to Tiring in Mayurbhanj.
He also mentioned about major industrial and maritime initiatives, including a Rs 25,000 crore shipbuilding cluster in Kendrapada and a Rs 22,000 crore satellite port project at Bahuda in Ganjam district.
On the achievements made in the recent past, the Chief Minister said 109 projects worth Rs 2.40 lakh crore have been grounded over the past two years, generating around 1.76 lakh jobs. He reiterated the state’s long-term economic vision of achieving a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047.
