Bhubaneswar/Keonjhar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today laid the foundation stone for a Rs 100-crore textile park and a Rs 187-crore Disaster Recovery and Data Centre at Dharanidhar University campus, marking a significant step in industrial diversification and digital infrastructure development in Keonjhar district.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “Keonjhar will not be known only for mining and steel. We are committed to making it a hub for multi-sector industrial growth. Our vision is to build a golden Keonjhar.”
The textile park is expected to provide employment to 1,200 youth. Hindalco will set up a garment manufacturing unit on seven acres of land, with a production capacity of 24 lakh garments annually, backed by modern infrastructure and logistical support.
Speaking on the sector’s potential, CM Majhi stated, “Industries are the pillars of prosperity. The textile sector, in particular, offers huge employment opportunities for women and youth.”
He also highlighted the outcomes of the O-Tex Textile Conclave held in Bhubaneswar last July, where 33 MoUs worth Rs 7,800 crore were signed, generating jobs for over 53,000 people across Odisha. Dedicated textile and apparel parks are also being developed in Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Balangir, Ganjam, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak.
On the digital front, the new Disaster Recovery and Data Centre, developed by the Electronics & IT Department through OCAC, will act as a backup to the State Data Centre in Bhubaneswar, ensuring uninterrupted digital services during natural disasters or cyber threats.
“This is the era of data. Citizens’ data should always be safe, accessible, and under our control. Keonjhar, being in the low-risk Zone II for earthquakes, has been chosen for this crucial infrastructure,” the Chief Minister said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to balanced regional growth, the Chief Minister noted allocations of Rs 312 crore for temple development and highlighted projects worth Rs 1,900 crore launched during the Makar Sankranti festival.
“A prosperous Odisha will emerge through the prosperity of its districts. Industrial growth and digital empowerment are key drivers of our journey towards a developed India,” he added.
The event was attended by Keonjhar MP Ananta Nayak, Patna MLA Akhila Chandra Naik, Telkoi MLA Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik, Keonjhar District Collector Vishal Singh, OCAC CEO Dr. Pradeep Kumar Raut, Hindalco Industries Limited President Ardhendu Mohapatra, senior officials, and a large number of citizens.
