Ever since coming to power the BJP government under the leadership ofchief minister Mohan Majhi has been working hard to keep its electionpromises and ensure all-round development of the state. While welfareschemes of the government remain firmly focussed on the development ofthe poor, due care is being taken to create necessary infrastructureto drive industrial growth and improve the living standard of the people.
The Mohan Majhi-led BJP government has been making rapidprogress as far as keeping the party’s election promises is concerned.Thankfully it has not faced any significant resistance from theopposition to its developmental plans.
The government has already launched a few important schemes on thewelfare front and also sought to promote women empowerment through itsflagship Subhadra Yojana. Now it has turned its attention to thehousing needs of low-income groups. Chief minister Mohan Majhi is allset to roll out the AntyodayaGruhaYojana, the flagship housingscheme for low-income households not yet selected under the PradhanMantriAwasYojana (PMAY).
Sources said the government has decided to provide housing assistanceto 50,000 needy people across the state in the initial phase. Thescheme will cover people suffering from critical ailments,differently-abled, widows, and those affected by natural calamities,fire incidents and elephant attacks. Additionally, families of martyrsand Padma awardees will be eligible for housing benefits under thescheme. Those interested in availing the benefits of the scheme wouldcontact panchayat offices or their block development officers forfiling online applications. The state government has made a budgetaryprovision of Rs.`2,603 crore which includes interest subvention forthe scheme in 2025-26.
The government is also keeping a close watch on population growth andthe resultingimperatives. In order to fulfil road transportationneeds of the state by 2036, the state government plans to developnorth-south and east-west corridors. Under this drive works departmentwould link Motu, the southernmost tip of the state with Tiring inMayurbhanj district with a 969 km long 6-lane highway. The project isestimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore.
The government has also proposed several infrastructure projectsincluding a 491-km-long 6-lane highway from Nuapada to Astarang at anestimated cost of Rs 9,500 crore. The projects in the pipelineinclude 383 km long 6-lane highway from Jharsuguda to Baripada, 357 kmlong highway from Brundabahal to Gopalpur and 404 km long highway fromSambalpur to Satabhaya. These projects would drive economic growth andimprove the quality of life of the people.
To address traffic congestion on major roads of Bhubaneswar provisionhas been made for upgradation of the road from Barang to Patia stationsquare, a flyover on the NH-16, improvement of Daya west canal roadroad, another flyover at Kalpana Square and Museum Square, a road overbridge from SishuBhawan square to Museum and an underpass at AGSquare.
On the industrial front the state-level single window clearanceauthority (SLSWCA) chaired by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja recentlyapproved 19 industrial projects with an investment of Rs 6,117 crorewhich have potential to create employment opportunities for over17,286 people.
The investments will be made in 10 key sectors including biofuel,biotechnology, steel, food processing, apparel, chemicals and greenenergy equipment. The projects will span 11 districts includingKhurda, Sambalpur, Balangir, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur,Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada.
The major projects include an investment of Rs 900 crore byTranspacific Engineering Private Limited in a bio coal plant atSambalpur with employment potential of 630, while Hindustan PetroleumCorporation Limited will lay a high-speed diesel and petrol pipelinethrough Rayagada, Balangir, and Kalahandi districts at a cost of Rs868 crore.
SapigenBiologix Private Limited has proposed to set up an Rs 854.32crore vaccine manufacturing unit at Odisha Biotech Park in Khurda withthe potential to create 850 jobs. Approval has also been accorded toChowguleLavganShiprepair Pvt Ltd’s proposal for a shipbuilding andrepair yard at Jagatsinghpur with an investment of Rs 550 crore whileHindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited will expand its Khurdaunit at Rs 515.32 crore.
The ARCL Organics Limited will establish a Rs 500 crore specialitychemicals manufacturing unit in Jagatsinghpur and create 725 jobs.Nezone Steels Utkal will set up a Rs 470 crore colour coating sheetmanufacturing unit in Jajpur and Zoho Corporation Private Limited hasproposed to establish a Rs 306.50 crore data centre in Khurda.
The CMR Aluminium has proposed to invest Rs 234.14 crore for settingup a liquid aluminium alloy plant in Sambalpur even as Sai SudhaMotors Private Limited is set to establish a Rs 68.58 crore solarmodule manufacturing unit at Khurda.
The tourism and hospitality sector has received a boost with AshirbadEngineering and Construction Private Limited proposing an investmentof Rs 139 crore in a 5-star hotel in Khurda while Somolo Eco ResortsPrivate Limited will develop a Rs 110 crore luxury eco-resort inGanjam and Tavasya Hospitality Private Limited will invest Rs 52.20crore in an eco-resort in Kandhamal. The RCC Laboratories IndiaPrivate Limited will invest Rs 55.36 crore in a preclinical testingand animal breeding facility in Khurda.
The development of Puri with special focus on the 12th century ShreeJagannath temple has always been a priority with the government. Aspart of the temple’s decongestion plans, a dedicated ‘Annakhetra’ willbe created outside the shrine for devotees to partake of Mahaprasadafter purchasing it from Anandabazar.
Under the plan devotees would buy Mahaprasad from Anandabazar andpartake of it at a designated space to be created outside the shrine’sUttaraDwara. The creation of a new space for the purpose has becomeimperative in view of significant increase in the footfall inAnandabazar which is causing overcrowding.
Similarly, Sri Gundicha temple’s ‘rosaghara’ or kitchen will alsoundergo complete revamp. Work on this would begin immediately afterthis year’s NiladriBije so that it is completed by next year’s RathYatra.
There is also a proposal to shift the Srimandir office to a newlocation within the regulatory zone of the shrine so that the existingsite can be used to set up another reception centre where people cankeep their belongings and wait before entering the shrine. The OdishaBridge & Construction Corporation Limited which is executing theParikrama project in Puri has been instructed to finish the pendingworks of PramodUdyan and JagannathBallav Parking Centre on time. Thedevelopment of PramodUdyan, which is considered the pleasure gardenof Lord Jagannath, will be done as per the ancient scriptures.
The government, thus, remains focussed on all-round development of thestate. It’s commitment to the growth of Odisha has endeared it to thepeople of the state.
