Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi kickstarted a significant development push for Sambalpur district on Saturday, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects with a combined value of Rs 948 crore. The two-day visit marks a major infrastructure and public service boost for the region.
A Green Commute for Sambalpur: E-Buses Hit the Road
Upon arrival at Jharsuguda airport and a road journey to Sambalpur, CM Majhi's first official act was to offer prayers at the revered Maa Samaleswari Temple. He then proceeded to the Mahanadi riverfront to launch the city's much-anticipated electric bus service. The Chief Minister personally flagged off 25 new e-buses, announcing that an additional 25 would join the fleet later this month, bringing the total to 50 vehicles.
To support this green initiative, a modern bus terminal for the Capital Region Urban Transport was inaugurated at Ainthapali. The state government has allocated a substantial Rs 238.14 crore for the maintenance of both the buses and the terminal over the next ten years. Majhi emphasized that the e-bus service aims to make commuting in Sambalpur more convenient, organized, and environmentally friendly.
The new buses come equipped with several passenger-centric features:
- Facilities for persons with disabilities.
- Multiple digital payment options.
- Advanced safety features like alcohol-detection systems and obstacle alerts.
Addressing safety concerns head-on, the CM assured the public that additional safety protocols have been implemented following the recent e-bus fire incident in Bhubaneswar, which was attributed to a battery short circuit.
Foundation for Growth: Roads, Dams, and Warehouses
Later, at a public meeting held at the PM Shri School ground in Burla, Chief Minister Majhi dedicated several completed projects and laid the foundation for future ones. The cornerstone of the new infrastructure push is the Hirakud dam master plan. He laid foundation stones for 11 key projects, including:
- Development of Cordola handloom village.
- Construction of the Burla Ring Road and Hirakud Ring Road.
- Upgradation of the Mundghat-Chaurpur road.
- Building the Remed–Hirakud four-lane road.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the widened Bhojpur-Jamankira road, aimed at improving connectivity in the district.
Boosting Education and Agriculture Support
Beyond transportation and large-scale infrastructure, the visit also focused on social and agricultural development. In a move to support young students, three new girls' hostels under the Adarsha Vidyalaya scheme were opened at Rengali, Jamankira, and Kusumi.
To address long-standing issues in paddy procurement and storage, the CM inaugurated two warehouse godowns, each with a capacity of 2,500 metric tonnes. These facilities are located at Jamankira and Batagaon and are expected to significantly aid local farmers.
This comprehensive series of inaugurations and foundation-laying ceremonies underscores the state government's focused approach to accelerating Sambalpur's development across multiple sectors, from eco-friendly urban mobility to critical rural infrastructure.
