Bhubaneswar, December 7, 2025 — In a significant move to boost infrastructure, tourism, and industrial growth in Odisha’s mineral-rich Keonjhar district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced a comprehensive set of development projects worth over ₹3,700 crore. The announcement came during the foundation-laying ceremony for a peripheral development project for the Maa Tarini temple complex at Ghatagaon, signaling the state government’s intent to blend heritage preservation with modern infrastructure expansion.

Infrastructure Initiatives for Urban and Transport Development

Among the key initiatives, Majhi highlighted the construction of a four-lane ring road in Barbil, budgeted at ₹2,300 crore, aimed at decongesting the town and improving regional connectivity. Complementing this, a bypass road in Keonjhar town, costing ₹428 crore, will enhance traffic flow and facilitate smoother movement for commercial and passenger vehicles.

Additionally, a four-lane road at the district headquarters hospital has been planned, ensuring faster access for patients and emergency services. These transport projects are expected to improve urban mobility, reduce travel times, and support both industrial and civic traffic, benefiting residents and businesses alike.

Industrial and Technological Expansion

The Chief Minister emphasized Keonjhar’s potential as an industrial hub, announcing a tech park with an investment of ₹168 crore, alongside a data centre and a textile park at Balabhadrapur. These projects are designed to attract investors, generate employment, and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for businesses and start-ups.

In a move aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure, the government will also establish a data recovery center at Dharanidhar University campus, with an allocation of ₹187 crore. This facility is expected to support data storage, disaster recovery, and IT operations for government and private entities, further positioning Keonjhar as a forward-looking technological hub.

Sports, Air Connectivity, and Regional Development

The state government is focusing on enhancing sports and recreational facilities in the district, with ₹180 crore earmarked for the development of the Keonjhar stadium. Simultaneously, the Raisuan airstrip will undergo redevelopment at a cost of ₹103 crore, improving air connectivity and facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo, including potential support for industrial activities in the region.

In addition, ₹50 crore will be invested in establishing a regional plant resource centre at Sanaghagara, aimed at promoting botanical research, conservation, and educational initiatives. These projects together reflect a multi-dimensional approach to regional development, encompassing infrastructure, education, sports, and environmental conservation.

Leveraging Mineral Wealth for Sustainable Development

Keonjhar, known for its rich deposits of iron ore and other minerals, has been identified as a strategic district for economic growth in Odisha. Majhi highlighted that funding of around ₹35,000 crore, including contributions from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), and other central and state government allocations, is available for the district’s comprehensive development.

He emphasized that Keonjhar’s mineral resources are central to the state’s industrial strategy, noting that a mega steel plant is in the pipeline, which, like Rourkela and Jajpur, will bolster Odisha’s reputation as a leading steel-producing state and further strengthen the regional economy.

Maa Tarini Temple Development: Blending Heritage with Modernity

A major highlight of Majhi’s announcement was the ₹313-crore Maa Tarini temple development project, aimed at transforming the religious site into a modern pilgrimage hub while retaining its cultural and spiritual essence. The project is slated for completion within a year and will cover approximately 60 acres, incorporating both functional and aesthetic enhancements.

The temple complex development plan includes:

• 216-bed pilgrim residence, providing comfortable accommodation for visitors
• Pilgrim centre, to facilitate organized worship and community activities
• Food plaza, offering modern dining facilities for devotees
• Watchtower, ensuring security and providing a panoramic view of the temple premises
• Market complex, supporting local commerce and handicraft sales
• Coconut warehouse for temple and ceremonial purposes
• Dining hall with a capacity of 500 people, ensuring smooth management of large groups
• Restroom facilities for drivers, addressing convenience for pilgrims traveling long distances

Majhi stressed that the temple development initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to integrating cultural preservation with modern urban planning, creating a facility that not only serves religious purposes but also stimulates tourism and local economic growth.

Economic and Social Implications

The comprehensive development package for Keonjhar is expected to create thousands of employment opportunities, both directly through construction and infrastructure projects, and indirectly through associated services and industrial growth. Improved transport connectivity and the establishment of industrial and tech parks are likely to attract investors and enhance trade, positioning Keonjhar as a regional growth engine.

Furthermore, the temple redevelopment and ancillary facilities will significantly boost religious tourism, attracting devotees from across the state and beyond. Enhanced tourism is expected to generate revenue, strengthen local businesses, and contribute to the district’s socio-economic development.

Strategic Vision and Long-Term Development

Mohan Charan Majhi framed the development initiatives as part of a broader strategy to modernize Keonjhar while leveraging its natural resources. By balancing industrial, technological, and cultural projects, the government aims to create a holistic growth model that fosters economic self-reliance, infrastructure modernization, and cultural pride.

The CM reiterated that the government’s approach focuses on inclusive development, ensuring that industrial projects, infrastructure, and cultural sites benefit both local residents and the wider population. He emphasized that strategic infrastructure like roads, airstrips, and data centres will not only enhance efficiency but also ensure the district is well-integrated with statewide and national economic networks.

Conclusion

The announcement of projects worth over ₹3,700 crore for Keonjhar district marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s developmental roadmap. With investments spanning roads, airstrips, tech parks, industrial hubs, and the Maa Tarini temple complex, the state government is addressing multiple dimensions of growth: infrastructure, industrialization, technological capacity, cultural preservation, and tourism.

As the projects unfold over the coming months and years, Keonjhar is set to emerge as a key economic, cultural, and technological hub in Odisha. The integrated approach—leveraging natural resources, enhancing connectivity, and promoting cultural heritage—reflects a vision for sustainable development that balances economic progress with social and spiritual enrichment.

The Chief Minister’s announcement signals that Odisha is poised to transform Keonjhar into a modern, well-connected, and industrially vibrant district, setting a benchmark for development in mineral-rich regions across the country.

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