Odisha CM Majhi Launches Rs 3,623 Crore Integrated Secretariat & Assembly Complex
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for a massive integrated Lok Seva Bhawan and assembly complex in Bhubaneswar on Monday. The ambitious project carries a budget of Rs 3,623 crore and will spread over 71 acres on the existing campus and adjoining areas.
Addressing Future Legislative Needs
The new complex is designed to meet the state's administrative and legislative requirements for the next five decades. Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the severe space constraints in the current Vidhan Sabha building. He pointed out that the existing structure can only accommodate three to four additional members.
"After the delimitation exercise, the number of MLAs may increase by around fifty," Majhi stated. "This demands additional seating arrangements. We are building this new complex with the needs of the next fifty years firmly in mind."
The central assembly hall in the new complex will have a capacity for 300 members. This anticipates the increase in assembly seats from the current 147 to approximately 196 after delimitation. It also creates scope for further expansion in the future. The number of assembly seats has remained frozen since the 1971 Census, with a delimitation freeze in place until 2026.
Modernizing Outdated Infrastructure
Chief Minister Majhi explained that the existing Lok Seva Bhawan was constructed over seventy years ago. It no longer meets contemporary safety and structural standards. He described operational inefficiencies caused by government departments being scattered across multiple floors and separate buildings.
"A well-planned, integrated administrative building has become an absolute necessity," the CM emphasized. He also noted that the electric wiring and water pipes in the old building were in poor condition, requiring urgent modernization.
Project Design and Timeline
Inspired by Delhi's Central Vista redevelopment, the composite structure will be known as the Lok Seva Bhawan and Mantralaya complex. It will feature seamless connectivity between the two wings. The new Lok Seva Bhawan will consist of several vertical towers, while the Vidhan Sabha will be a single building centered around the main hall.
Sources revealed that the complex will include:
- Basement parking facilities
- Modern amenities for officials and staff
- Advanced security systems throughout the premises
"There is a completion deadline of two years for the first phase of the integrated complex," Majhi announced. "The detailed project report for this phase is already prepared and ready."
Elevated Corridor Project Also Launched
On the same day, Chief Minister Majhi also laid the foundation stone for the 10-kilometer Jaydev Vihar-Nandan Kanan elevated corridor. This project carries an estimated cost of Rs 952 crore.
The plan includes constructing four flyovers at key intersections:
- Jaydev Vihar Square
- Kalinga Hospital Square
- Damana Square
- KIIT Square
These flyovers aim to improve traffic management on one of Odisha's busiest roads. The government expects them to enable faster and more convenient public commuting. A cable-stayed bridge is also planned at Jaydev Vihar Square, crossing above NH-16.
The twin infrastructure launches signal a major push by the Odisha government to modernize Bhubaneswar's administrative core and decongest its critical traffic arteries. The projects represent significant investments aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and public mobility in the state capital.
