Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 330 development projects worth ₹1,292 crore in Kendujhar district, with major initiatives spanning education, healthcare, technology and infrastructure.
The projects include the foundation stones for 630 schools across the state under the third phase of the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary School Yojana, including 35 in Kendujhar district. The schools will be developed at an estimated cost of nearly ₹4,000 crore.
Addressing a state-level function during his visit to his home district, Majhi said the initiative aimed to transform primary education by providing modern infrastructure, digital learning facilities and sports amenities. He described the scheme as his brainchild, recalling that he had first conceived the idea while serving as the MLA from Kendujhar.
The Chief Minister said the government planned to strengthen 2,200 schools between 2025-26 and 2028-29 at an estimated expenditure of ₹12,000 crore. With the foundation stones laid in the third phase, the number of schools covered under the scheme has reached 952. Earlier, foundation stones were laid for 118 schools in Banapur and 204 in Khordha.
Emphasising the importance of quality primary education, Majhi said the proposed schools would be developed on around five acres each, with an investment of ₹5 crore to ₹8 crore per school. Facilities would include modern classrooms, digital equipment and sports infrastructure, while the Nipun Odisha initiative would focus on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the south campus of Dharanidhar University, built at a cost of ₹14 crore, and laid the foundation stone for a 15-storey Tech-Business Park on 5.51 acres at an investment of ₹237 crore.
He said the proposed facility would create employment opportunities for young people in North Odisha, reducing the need for them to migrate to cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad in search of jobs.
In the healthcare sector, Majhi dedicated a Preventive Cancer Screening Centre at Dharanidhar Medical College, established at a cost of nearly ₹6 crore with DMF assistance. The centre, based on indigenous technology, will provide all services free of cost.
He also laid foundation stones for a seven-storey Dental College estimated at ₹58.40 crore and a 10-storey Nursing College costing ₹63 crore. He announced that a government Pharmacy College would also be established in Kendujhar.
Other healthcare facilities dedicated included a Maternal and Child Health Department built at ₹10 crore and a Modular Operation Theatre Complex costing ₹32 crore. A multi-utility centre, police outpost and 30-bed barrack were also inaugurated.
Of the 330 projects, 198 worth around ₹412 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 132 new projects valued at over ₹880 crore.
The Chief Minister also launched the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), a free bus service card for students, and distributed the cards to students of Dharanidhar University.
As part of efforts to strengthen healthcare and civic amenities, 23 ambulances procured through DMF funds were provided for healthcare services. Besides, 26 sanitation-related vehicles and equipment, including light commercial vehicles, tractors, sprinklers and cesspool vehicles, were provided to Kendujhar, Joda and Barbil municipalities.
Majhi said road infrastructure was also being strengthened, with plans for six-laning of roads connecting Kendujhar and construction of a ring road in Barbil.
Describing his emotional connection with the district, the Chief Minister said that although he was the Chief Minister of Odisha, he remained the same ‘Mohan Bhai’ for the people of Kendujhar. He pledged to serve his native soil till his last breath.
He said the state government was prioritising education as the foundation of social transformation and development. Shishu Vatika had been introduced in more than 45,000 schools, while free textbooks and mid-day meals were being provided to students of Classes IX and X. As many as 28,639 teachers had been appointed in the state over the past two-and-a-half years, he added.
Referring to the state’s industrialisation drive, Majhi said initiatives such as the proposed Textile Park, educational and healthcare institutions and a mega steel plant in Kendujhar would strengthen the state’s economy and generate employment.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also interacted virtually with two school students — Smrutiranjan Sahu of Bentkar High School in Kataka and Ashutosh Kar of PM Shri Sahidnagar High School in Dhamnagar — and discussed their studies and future aspirations.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said the Adarsha Primary School scheme reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening education from the grassroots. He said the proposed schools would provide children in rural and tribal areas access to modern educational facilities.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Kendujhar MP Ananta Naik, Telkoi MLA Fakir Mohan Naik, Patna MLA Akhil Chandra Naik and Kendujhar Special Development Council Chairperson Mamita Naik were among those present.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department N. Tirumala Naik delivered the welcome address, while Kendujhar Collector Vishal Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
