Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday visited Sambalpur and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 25 development projects worth approximately ₹948 crore, giving a significant boost to infrastructure and public facilities in the district. Of these projects, 14 works valued at over ₹57 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 11 projects costing more than ₹890 crore.
The development initiatives cover a wide range of sectors including road and bridge construction, health infrastructure, warehouses, Atal bus stands, girls’ hostels, tourism promotion, drinking water supply and other civic amenities.
Addressing a public gathering, the Chief Minister said that the government of the people is firmly committed to accelerating the pace of development in Sambalpur and that the district’s progress is integral to Odisha’s vision of balanced development and good governance.
He said these projects would add a new chapter to Sambalpur’s development journey and generate a fresh wave of growth in the district, ultimately contributing to the goal of building a prosperous Odisha. Describing Sambalpur as one of the most beautiful cities in the state, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the city’s beauty and livability would further improve once the projects are completed.
Referring to religious tourism, Chief Minister Majhi said that riverfront development work around the Maa Samaleswari Temple, a major Shakti Peeth of Odisha, is being implemented in two phases with a total investment of ₹316 crore. The first phase includes construction of a corridor around the temple, development of Gopaljieu Matha, a lighthouse, parking facilities and riverfront beautification. The second phase will focus on building accommodation facilities for devotees, a lake zone, shop buildings, a food park, parking areas and improved entrance pathways.
To strengthen tourism further, the Chief Minister said that a ₹160 crore Mahanadi Riverfront Development project is underway to develop the riverbank stretch from Mandalia to Chaunrapur. The project will include parks, open gyms, selfie points, bathing ghats, Aarti ghats, shopping complexes, toilets and parking facilities, making the riverfront a major attraction for residents and tourists alike.
Speaking on industrial growth, the Chief Minister said that in the past, industrialisation in Odisha was limited to a few select regions, leaving many districts without major industries or large enterprises. Since the formation of the present government, efforts have been intensified to establish industries in all 30 districts of the state. He said that planned investments of around ₹1.8 lakh crore in the coming days would help industrialise every district, while noting that the overall pace of development in Odisha has accelerated significantly over the last one and a half years.
The Chief Minister emphasised that his government believes in people-centric governance and is actively engaging with citizens through public grievance hearings and their speedy redressal. He said governance is not confined to offices in Bhubaneswar and that the government is open to correcting policies and rules whenever required to make them more people-oriented, adding that the people themselves are the core of good governance.
Stating that the government aims to achieve excellence in education, health, industry and infrastructure, Chief Minister Majhi said special efforts are being made to ensure that basic facilities reach even those living at the last mile of society. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government is making all possible efforts to place Sambalpur firmly on the path of progress, and that the results are now visible to the public. Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the double-engine government is fulfilling its promise of double development by ensuring growth reaches every district and every village.
The programme was attended by Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, former MLA Nauri Naik, Revenue Divisional Commissioner Ramachandra Yadav, Police Inspector General Himanshu Lal and Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Bhamo. District Collector Siddheshwar Baliran Bondar delivered the welcome address, while Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rehan Khatri proposed the vote of thanks.
It was announced that the Chief Minister will on Sunday inaugurate the newly constructed Trauma Care Unit, OPD Building and CSSD Building at the District Headquarters Hospital and lay the foundation stone for a 24-hour drinking water supply system for Sambalpur city.
