Sambalpur, Sept. 17 (UDN): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 50 development projects worth nearly ₹960 crore in Sambalpur, covering key sectors including roads, healthcare, irrigation, sports, public buildings and rural development.
The projects were unveiled at a programme held at Gangadhar Meher University. Of the total, 15 completed projects worth ₹133.47 crore were dedicated to the public, while foundation stones were laid for 35 new projects estimated at ₹825.83 crore.
Major infrastructure projects in focus
Addressing the gathering, Majhi highlighted several major projects being undertaken in Sambalpur. These include the ₹1,521-crore four-lane bypass, the ₹1,700-crore expansion of VIMSAR, a ₹100-crore aqua park and the ₹100-crore second phase of the Samalei project.
Work on the Burla and Hirakud ring roads and the Remed-Hirakud four-lane road is also progressing, the Chief Minister said.
According to Majhi, development works worth approximately ₹1,910 crore have been taken up in Sambalpur between January and September this year.
Other projects mentioned by the Chief Minister include a new Krushi Bhawan, additional hostel facilities for girls, modernisation of the Sambalpur Football Academy and implementation of the Hirakud Dam master plan.
Focus on drinking water and urban transport
The state government is also working to address drinking water shortages and the recurring problem of jaundice in Sambalpur city, Majhi said.
Under AMRUT 2.0, a ₹450-crore Drink from Tap project is being implemented with a targeted supply of 100 million litres of treated water daily to 41 wards.
The Chief Minister also referred to development initiatives announced earlier in the year, including ₹948 crore worth of projects and the introduction of 50 electric buses in Sambalpur.
A further ₹238.14 crore has been allocated for the Ainthapali bus terminal, including its maintenance for a period of 10 years.
Industrial investments in western Odisha
Majhi also highlighted major industrial investments in the region, including Hindalco’s ₹40,000-crore expansion at Lapanga and the proposed ₹32,000-crore JSW-JFE steel project at Rengali.
He described Sambalpur as an important centre of the art, culture and traditions of western Odisha and said the city’s development would remain significant to the state’s broader vision of ‘Samrudha Odisha 2036’.
The event was attended by State BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Manmohan Samal, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Northern Range DIG Charan Singh Meena and Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, among others.