Bhubaneswar, Dec, 13: “Mother called, and I received the opportunity to serve her.” Laying the foundation stone today for the integrated development of Maa Tarini Pitha at Ghatagaon, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi expressed these sentiments.
The long-awaited dream project for Keonjhar district and for Odisha has now begun successfully.
Today at Ghatagaon, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the integrated development of Maa Tarini Pitha.
It is noteworthy that the foundation stone has been laid today for the integrated development of Maa Tarini Pitha at a total cost of ₹313 crore, and the project is targeted to be completed within one year.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said he was emotionally moved to see that the vision planned during his 18-month journey had finally taken shape. He said that the Government would make all efforts to develop Maa Tarini Pitha into a renowned international religious and tourist destination.
No obstacle will hinder the development of the shrine. There will be no shortage of funds because this work is taking place with the blessings of Maa Tarini, he said.
The ₹313-crore approved amount for the beautification of the temple and peripheral development will be fully utilised within a year, and within the same period, all pilgrim amenities in the region will be completed, the Chief Minister added.
He also announced that additional funds would be allocated to construct residential facilities for the temple’s priests (Dehuri). The Works Department will take the necessary steps, and the District Collector has been directed to prepare the DPR.
It was informed that the 10-acre development area will include a 216-bed pilgrims’ guest house, a pilgrim centre, an interpretation centre, a food plaza, a watchtower, a market complex, a coconut warehouse, a massive dining hall for 5,000 people, toilet blocks, changing rooms, cloakrooms, ticket counters, hand-and-foot washing areas, and a drivers’ rest room. The connecting roads to the temple will be improved, and additional works like parks and beautification of four ponds will be undertaken.
The Chief Minister also said that the previously sanctioned ₹50-crore project for Maa Tarini Pitha by the former Government was just symbolic like a “conch in the ocean”. Highlighting Keonjhar as a treasure house of natural resources and the heart of Odisha, he informed that the process of establishing a mega steel plant in Keonjhar is underway and the foundation stone would be laid very soon.
Just like Rourkela and Jajpur, Keonjhar will emerge as a major steel city contributing significantly to Odisha’s economy. The Government has decided to convert all major industrial and mining corridors into six-lane highways. Almost all major roads in Keonjhar will become six-lane. A ring road will also be built at Bada Bil. Several economic zones are being developed in the state, and the Keonjhar–Bada Bil–Joda region will be transformed into a major economic hub. Many other development projects in Keonjhar are underway and will be inaugurated soon.
“Golden Keonjhar will no longer be just a slogan—it will become a reality for all of Odisha.”
Speaking about development plans, the Chief Minister said that the Central Government is constructing an 8-lane highway from Paradip to Bada Bil. Construction from Paradip to Dandikhol is underway, and survey work is ongoing from Chadikhol to Bada Bil. Work will begin ve…