Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the holistic transformation of Maa Tarini Peetha at Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district. The ambitious project, estimated to cost over Rs 312 crore, aims to modernise the religious hub with world-class amenities while preserving its cultural and spiritual essence. The development work is expected to be completed within a year.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said, “I am blessed with the opportunity to serve Maa Tarini. My eight months of planning have now taken shape. The government will ensure that Maa Tarini’s seat becomes a world-class religious and tourist destination. There is no shortage of funds for this sacred project.”
The Chief Minister added that the more than Rs 312 crore sanctioned for the beautification of Maa Tarini temple and its surrounding areas will be spent within a year, ensuring that all pilgrim facilities are made available in the area within the same timeframe.
Additionally, he announced that further funds will be allocated for constructing houses for temple caretakers. The Works Department has been directed to take the necessary steps and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the District Collector.
The development work will cover approximately 60 acres and will include a 216-bed special pilgrims’ accommodation, a pilgrim center, a lecture center, a food plaza, a watchtower, a market complex, a coconut store, and a large prasad hall for 500 people. The project will also provide toilet blocks, a costume room, a shoe stand, a ticket counter, hand and foot washing facilities, a restroom for drivers, as well as roads connecting the temple, parking facilities, and beautification of the four sacred ponds.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Rs 50 crore had already been approved by the previous government for Maa Tarini’s seat. He described Keonjhar as a repository of natural resources and the heart of Odisha. He mentioned that the process for establishing a mega steel plant in Keonjhar is underway, and its foundation stone will be laid soon.
Keonjhar, like Rourkela and Jajpur, is expected to contribute significantly to Odisha’s economy as a steel city. The government has decided to construct six-lane roads connecting all industrial and mining areas, along with a six-lane ring road in Barbil. Several economic zones are under development in the state, and the Keonjhar-Barbil-Joda area will be developed into a major economic hub. Many development projects in Keonjhar district are ongoing and will be inaugurated soon. The Chief Minister stated that Keonjhar’s progress will not merely be a story—it will be a reality for all of Odisha.
Outlining the broader vision for Keonjhar’s development, the Chief Minister said that the Central Government is building an 8-lane road from Paradip to Barbil. Construction work is underway from Paradip to Chandikhol, while survey work is in progress from Chandikhol to Barbil.
Specific projects for Keonjhar include: a four-lane ring road in Barbil at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore, a bypass road in Keonjhar for Rs 428 crore, a four-lane road to the district headquarters hospital, a tech park for Rs 168 crore, a data center for Rs 150 crore, a textile park in Balabhadrapur for Rs 150 crore, a data recovery center at Dharanidhar University campus for Rs 187 crore, Raisuan Airstrip for Rs 103 crore, Keonjhar stadium for Rs 180 crore, and RPRC in Sanaghagara for Rs 50 crore, among others.
CM Majhi emphasised that combining DMF, OMBADC, and other funds brings a total of Rs 35,000 crore earmarked for Keonjhar alone.
“All this money will be spent on the district’s development. Developed Odisha means inclusive growth for every citizen. With your support and the blessings of Lord Jagannath, we are committed to building a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and contributing to India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047,” he said.
Upon his arrival at Ghatagaon, a large procession from RC Primary School to Maa Tarini temple welcomed the Chief Minister. He performed darshan and worship at the temple and laid the foundation stone for the integrated development project of Maa Tarini’s Peetha.
Prominent attendees at the event included BJP State President Manmohan Samal, Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Keonjhar MP Ananta Nayak, Bhadrak MP Avimanyu Sethi, Jajpur MP Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera, Ghasipura MLA Badri Narayan Patra, Anandpur MLA Abhimanyu Sethi, Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud, Patna MLA Akhila Chandra Naik, Telkoi MLA Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik, Bhadrak MLA Sitansu Sekhar Mohapatra, Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak, Dharmashala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, Remuna MLA Gobinda Chandra Das, Nilagiri MLA Santosh Khatua, Baripada MLA Prakash Soren, and Keonjhar District Collector Vishal Singh.
