Keonjhar, Odisha: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday unveiled a major development package for Keonjhar, launching and inaugurating projects worth ₹1,292 crore across education, healthcare, technology, infrastructure and public services. The Chief Minister also launched the third phase of the **Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya Scheme**, marking a significant step towards transforming primary education across Odisha.

Under the third phase, foundation stones have been laid for 630 model primary schools across the state, including 35 schools in Keonjhar district. The schools will be constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹4,000 crore. With this phase, foundation stones have been laid for a total of 952 model schools in three phases. The state government aims to establish 2,200 model primary schools by 2029, with an investment of approximately ₹12,000 crore.

Education Infrastructure Gets a Major Push

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said quality primary education forms the foundation of a child's future.

“The stronger the foundation of primary education, the brighter the future of a child,” the Chief Minister emphasised.

He described the Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School Scheme as his dream initiative, aimed at providing world-class educational infrastructure to children, particularly those in rural and tribal areas.

The proposed schools will feature modern classrooms, digital learning facilities, sports equipment and infrastructure to promote foundational literacy and numeracy. The initiative seeks to transform primary schools into centres of learning, creativity and holistic development.

The Chief Minister said the initiative would ensure that children are not deprived of quality education due to geographical or economic limitations.

Keonjhar University Gets South Campus

The Chief Minister inaugurated the South Campus of Dharanidhar University, developed at an expenditure of ₹14 crore, strengthening higher education infrastructure in the district.

He also launched a free National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) facility for students, aimed at facilitating their mobility through bus services.

₹237 Crore Tech-Business Park to Generate Employment

A major highlight of the development package was the foundation stone laying for a 15-storey Tech-Business Park, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹237 crore over approximately 5.51 acres.

The project is expected to create new employment opportunities and strengthen the technology and business ecosystem in northern Odisha.

The Chief Minister said the development initiatives would help young people find employment and pursue career opportunities in their home district rather than migrate to cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Odisha's First Indigenous Preventive Cancer Screening Centre Inaugurated

In a significant healthcare initiative, Majhi inaugurated Odisha's first fully indigenous technology-based Preventive Cancer Screening Centre at Dharanidhar Medical College.

The centre has been established with an investment of approximately ₹6 crore through DMF support, and screening services will be provided free of cost.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation stones for a seven-storey Dental College costing ₹58.40 crore and a 10-storey Nursing College worth ₹63 crore.

He announced that a government pharmacy college would soon be established in Keonjhar.

23 New Ambulances for Keonjhar

To strengthen emergency healthcare services, 23 new ambulances were provided to the district through DMF funding.

Several additional healthcare and civic infrastructure facilities were also inaugurated, including a Maternal and Child Health Department facility worth ₹10 crore, a Modular OT Complex and other public utility infrastructure.

330 Development Projects Announced

As part of the district-wide development package, the Chief Minister launched and inaugurated 330 projects worth ₹1,292 crore.

Of these, 198 projects valued at approximately ₹412 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 132 new projects worth over ₹880 crore.

Additional sanitation vehicles and equipment were handed over to Keonjhar, Joda and Barbil municipalities to strengthen urban cleanliness and civic services.

Majhi also highlighted road infrastructure improvements, including plans to upgrade connecting roads to six-lane standards and the construction of a ring road in Barbil.

‘For Odisha, I May Be the Chief Minister; For Keonjhar, I Am Still Mohan Bhai’

In an emotional address, Majhi said that although he may be the Chief Minister of Odisha, for the people of Keonjhar he remains the same ‘Mohan Bhai’.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serving his birthplace throughout his life and expressed confidence that the ongoing development initiatives would open new avenues of growth, employment and prosperity for the district.

The programme was attended by several state ministers, Keonjhar MP Ananta Nayak, legislators, district officials and other public representatives.

The launch of these projects marks a major development milestone for Keonjhar, with the state government focusing on education, healthcare, employment generation and infrastructure to accelerate regional growth.