Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards rural empowerment under the ‘Viksit Odisha’ vision, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today announced the launch of Mission PoWaR during his budget speech for the financial year 2026-27 in the Odisha Assembly.
The initiative, standing for Power, Water, and Roads, aims to provide essential basic amenities to all rural areas, addressing long-standing gaps in infrastructure even decades after independence.
Highlighting concerns that roads, electricity, and other facilities have not reached many remote parts of the state, CM Majhi emphasized the need for a quick and permanent solution. “Mission PoWaR” will operate in mission mode, with the Rural Development Department collaborating with departments handling Power (Shakti), Panchayati Raj, and Water Resources for time-bound implementation. The mission seeks to ensure reliable electricity, access to drinking water, and last-mile road connectivity, ensuring no family is left in darkness or without basic connectivity.
To support this ambitious drive, the Chief Minister proposed a substantial allocation of Rs 1,000 crore specifically for “Road Connectivity and Connectivity of Unconnected Settlements” under Mission PoWaR in the 2026-27 budget.
This forms part of a broader rural development outlay of Rs 44,309 crore — a 13% increase over the previous year — demonstrating the government’s commitment to rural upliftment.Complementing Mission PoWaR, the budget includes significant investments in flagship programs. Under the Mukhyamantri Sadak Yojana, Rs 3,491 crore has been earmarked for quality paved roads to inaccessible settlements and ongoing bridge projects. The Setu Bandhan Yojana receives Rs 2,500 crore for new bridges.
Additionally, Rs 7,500 crore is allocated for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) works, Rs 1,500 crore for PM-JANMAN initiatives targeting particularly vulnerable tribal groups, and Rs 2,200 crore for rural road maintenance.On the power front, while all revenue villages have been electrified, CM Majhi noted the need to cover remaining remote habitations and strengthen infrastructure.
An outlay of Rs 357 crore is proposed under the Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana to ensure universal electricity access and prevent any family from spending nights in darkness due to inadequate facilities.
This announcement aligns with the government’s priority on rural empowerment as the first pillar of Viksit Odisha. By integrating efforts across departments, Mission PoWaR is expected to transform living standards in rural Odisha, promote inclusive growth, and fulfill the promise of equitable development.
