Keonjhar, Nov 11 (UDN): : Marking a historic milestone in Odisha’s development journey, a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at transforming the state’s education, healthcare, technology and infrastructure sectors were launched from the soil of Keonjhar on Friday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, during his visit to Keonjhar, laid the foundation stones for the third phase of the state government’s flagship educational initiative, the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary School Scheme, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure and ensuring access to quality education for children across the state.
Under the third phase of the scheme, foundation stones were laid for a total of 630 schools across Odisha, including 35 schools in Keonjhar district. These schools will be constructed at an estimated investment of approximately ₹4,000 crore, with modern educational facilities and improved infrastructure aimed at providing students with a better learning environment and strengthening the foundation of primary education.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated the South Campus of Dharanidhar University, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹14 crore. The new campus is expected to strengthen higher education facilities in the region and provide students with improved opportunities for academic growth, research and professional development.
In another major step towards promoting technological advancement and employment generation in northern Odisha, the foundation stone was laid for one of the region’s most modern technology-based commercial establishments. The proposed 15-storey Tech-Business Park, to be developed over approximately 5.51 acres of land at an estimated investment of ₹237 crore, is expected to emerge as a major centre for technology-driven business activities and employment opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said that the new initiatives would create enormous opportunities for the youth of Keonjhar and neighbouring districts. He emphasised that young people would no longer need to migrate to metropolitan cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad in search of employment and career opportunities, as new avenues for jobs, entrepreneurship and professional advancement would increasingly become available in their own region. The projects, he said, would open new doors of development and enable local youth to contribute to the economic growth of their home state.
A significant achievement in the healthcare sector was also recorded with the inauguration of Odisha’s first fully indigenous technology-based Preventive Cancer Screening Centre at the premises of Dharanidhar Medical College. Established with the support of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) at an estimated cost of approximately ₹6 crore, the centre will provide all its screening and related services completely free of cost. The facility is expected to strengthen preventive healthcare, promote early detection of cancer and make advanced screening services more accessible to the general public.
With a focus on expanding medical education and strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for two major educational institutions within the medical college campus. A seven-storey Dental College, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹58.40 crore, and a 10-storey Nursing College, involving an investment of approximately ₹63 crore, will significantly expand opportunities for professional medical and healthcare education in the region.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced that a Government Pharmacy College would also be established in Keonjhar, adding another important institution to the district’s growing healthcare education infrastructure. The proposed institution is expected to provide aspiring students with opportunities to pursue professional pharmacy education without having to travel to distant cities.
Several other important healthcare and supporting infrastructure facilities were also inaugurated during the programme. These included a Maternal and Child Health Department, developed at a cost of ₹10 crore, and a Modular Operation Theatre Complex, constructed with an investment of ₹32 crore. A multi-utility centre, police outpost and a 30-member police barrack were also inaugurated as part of the comprehensive infrastructure development initiatives.
The projects are expected to strengthen the medical facilities available to patients, improve maternal and child healthcare services, enhance surgical infrastructure and ensure better administrative and security arrangements within the medical college premises.
In a major boost to the overall development of Keonjhar district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 330 development projects worth a combined ₹1,292 crore during the programme.
Of the total projects, 198 completed projects worth approximately ₹412 crore were dedicated to the people, while foundation stones were laid for 132 new projects involving an investment of more than ₹880 crore. These initiatives cover various sectors and are aimed at accelerating the district’s development, improving public infrastructure and strengthening essential services.
The large-scale investment in education, healthcare, technology, employment generation and public infrastructure reflects the state government’s efforts to position Keonjhar as an emerging centre of growth and development in northern Odisha.
With the establishment of modern educational institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, a technology-driven business park and several other infrastructure projects, Keonjhar is expected to witness a significant transformation in the coming years. The initiatives are also expected to generate local employment, improve access to quality services and create new opportunities for students, professionals, entrepreneurs and the general public.
The inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony marks an important step towards accelerating regional development and ensuring that the benefits of modern education, healthcare, technology and infrastructure reach people at the grassroots level.