Majhi Hails Double Engine Growth in Odisha

In a resounding endorsement of the “double engine” government model, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi celebrated the state’s rapid progress under the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leadership at both state and central levels. Speaking in Bhubaneswar, Majhi highlighted landmark developments, including the Rs 8,308 crore Bhubaneswar bypass project, the establishment of two semiconductor units, and the return of South Korean steel giant POSCO to Keonjhar, as evidence of Odisha’s economic transformation.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came during a gathering where representatives from Keonjhar, his native district, expressed gratitude to him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the proposed JSW-POSCO joint venture steel plant in Patana tehsil. “This mega steel plant will not only reshape Keonjhar but also propel Odisha toward prosperity,” Majhi declared, envisioning the Patana region evolving into a modern industrial hub akin to Rourkela. He noted that the project fulfills a decades-long dream of establishing a major steel plant in Keonjhar, a mineral-rich district that has long supplied iron ore to industries nationwide but lacked its own facility.

Majhi credited the “double engine” synergy between the state and central BJP governments for making the JSW-POSCO project a reality. The initiative, a collaboration between POSCO India and JSW, marks the steel major’s return to Odisha after a failed 2005 attempt in Jagatsinghpur, which faced local resistance over land acquisition. “Thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s efforts and JSW chief Sajjan Jindal’s persuasion, POSCO is back, and this will inspire other industries to invest in Odisha,” Majhi said, signaling a new era of industrial trust in the state.

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Beyond the steel plant, Majhi spotlighted the Rs 8,308 crore Capital Region Ring Road project, approved on August 19, which aims to decongest urban centers like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khordha while boosting logistics efficiency. “This infrastructure milestone will unlock new economic opportunities across Odisha and the eastern region,” he emphasized. Additionally, the Union Cabinet’s approval of two semiconductor units in Odisha on August 12—out of four nationwide—positions the state as a burgeoning hub for cutting-edge technology, further showcasing the benefits of aligned governance.

Majhi called on Keonjhar’s residents, particularly those in Patana, to support the steel project, assuring them of widespread regional development. He also contrasted the current progress with the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, claiming that industries had left Odisha due to unfavorable policies. With projects spanning infrastructure, technology, and industry, Odisha is poised to become a powerhouse, driven by the “double engine” government’s commitment to growth and prosperity.

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