340 new projects worth Rs 1155 crore announced for this Odisha district

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced 340 new developmental projects worth Rs 1,155 crore for Keonjhar district on Monday.

The announcement was made during his visit for the state-level birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter Dharanidhar Naik in Kusumita village of Keonjhar and is aimed at boosting infrastructure, education, healthcare, and industrial growth of the region.

According to The Times of India, the projects include industrial establishments, irrigation systems, transportation upgrades, and health facilities. The CM also stated that JSW Group will set up a mega steel plant in the district with an initial investment of Rs 35,000 crore.

Additionally, thirty other projects worth Rs 1.29 lakh crore are also in the pipeline and are expected to create 30,000–35,000 jobs.

Healthcare Infrastructure Boost

During the event, CM Majhi inaugurated in-patient and trauma care services at Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital, emphasising the need for advanced emergency care in mining-heavy districts like Keonjhar.

With rising industrial activity and vehicular traffic, the trauma unit will address accident-related fatalities. Reports also added that the government plans similar facilities in other mining districts and announced four new medical colleges in Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, and Nabarangpur.

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Security Upgrades

To enhance public safety, the CM inaugurated a Rs 3.34-crore building for Keonjhar Town police station and a Rs 2.76-crore reserve police office.

CM Majhi also flagged off 17 SUVs and 80 motorcycles for district police and announced that a recruitment drive to fill 32,000 police vacancies—16,000 existing and 16,000 new posts—has begun statewide.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

CM Majhi also laid the foundation stone for a Rs 50-lakh worth memorial museum and interpretation centre honouring Dharanidhar Naik and stated that it will be built on two acres near his ancestral home in Kusumita.

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The site will preserve Naik’s personal belongings, feature parks, and include tourist amenities to promote regional heritage. A guesthouse in Bhubaneswar will also bear his name, stated the Odisha CM.