Odisha CM Majhi launches ₹1,330 crore projects in Keonjhar, flags off 25 e-buses
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi committed ₹1,330 crore to 187 projects in mineral-rich Keonjhar in a single day — and announced a mega steel plant is near groundbreaking. Paired with 25 e-buses cutting 330–390 tonnes of carbon annually and women at the wheel, the push blends industrial ambition with green mobility in a district long seen as underserved despite fuelling the state's economy.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched 187 projects worth ₹1,330.24 crore in Keonjhar on 29 April 2025 .
25 electric buses flagged off under the 'Ama Bus' initiative; new depot built for ₹17 crore .
Foundation stones laid for 62 projects worth ₹705 crore ; 24 completed projects worth ₹251 crore inaugurated.
Fresh ₹375 crore package announced for 101 new projects in the district.
A mega steel plant foundation stone expected very soon , positioning Keonjhar as an industrial hub.
E-buses projected to cut carbon emissions by 330–390 tonnes per year ; ₹238 crore earmarked for maintenance.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 29 April 2025, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 187 developmental projects worth approximately ₹1,330.24 crore in Keonjhar district, pledging to make the region's infrastructure and transport system world-class. The event, held at a special gathering in Keonjhar, also saw the flagging off of 25 modern electric buses under the state's 'Ama Bus' initiative.
Key Projects Launched
At the heart of the event, Chief Minister Majhi inaugurated a newly built 'Ama Bus' depot constructed at a cost of ₹17 crore and flagged off the district's first fleet of 25 e-buses. Separately, foundation stones were laid for 62 projects valued at approximately ₹705 crore across various locations in Keonjhar. Additionally, 24 completed projects worth ₹251 crore were formally inaugurated on the occasion.
₹375 Crore Package for New Projects
Beyond the inaugurations, Majhi announced a fresh ₹375 crore package covering 101 new projects in the district, aimed at accelerating Keonjhar's overall development. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister acknowledged that while Keonjhar has historically contributed significantly to the state's economy — largely through its mineral wealth — the district had remained neglected in the past. He stated that development in the region has gathered pace since his government assumed power.
Mega Steel Plant on the Horizon
In a significant announcement, Majhi said the process to establish a mega steel plant in Keonjhar is in its final stage, with the foundation stone expected to be laid very soon. He expressed confidence that the project will transform Keonjhar into a major industrial hub. This comes amid growing interest in Odisha's mineral-rich Keonjhar belt, which holds some of India's largest iron ore reserves and has long been seen as a prime candidate for downstream steel manufacturing.
Green Mobility and Women's Participation
Speaking on the e-bus rollout, Majhi highlighted that women's participation is a defining feature of the initiative, with women serving as both drivers and guides. He added that affordable fares and digital payment options will benefit students and workers across the district. The Chief Minister noted that the e-bus service is projected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 330–390 tonnes annually, delivering measurable environmental benefits. Nearly ₹238 crore has been earmarked for the maintenance of the service, which is slated for expansion to other cities in the coming months. Majhi said the initiative positions Odisha as a frontrunner in green mobility.
Vision for a 'Samruddha Odisha' by 2036
Closing his address, the Chief Minister framed the investments within a broader long-term vision.
Point of View
330 crore blitz is politically timed and symbolically loaded, but the more consequential announcement is the impending mega steel plant, which, if it materialises, could structurally shift the district's economy beyond extraction. The e-bus initiative, with women as drivers, is a worthwhile social signal — but the real accountability test will be whether the 101 newly announced projects avoid the fate of past foundation stones that were never followed through.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What projects did Odisha CM Majhi launch in Keonjhar on 29 April 2025?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 187 developmental projects worth approximately ₹1,330.24 crore in Keonjhar district. These included 24 completed projects worth ₹251 crore, foundation stones for 62 projects worth ₹705 crore, and a new ₹375 crore package for 101 additional projects.
What is the 'Ama Bus' e-bus initiative in Keonjhar?
The 'Ama Bus' initiative is Odisha's electric bus service, under which 25 modern e-buses were flagged off in Keonjhar on 29 April 2025. A new depot was built for ₹17 crore to support the service, which features women as drivers and guides and is projected to cut carbon emissions by 330–390 tonnes annually.
When will the mega steel plant in Keonjhar be established?
Chief Minister Majhi stated that the process to set up a mega steel plant in Keonjhar is in its final stage and that the foundation stone will be laid very soon. The plant is expected to establish Keonjhar as a major industrial hub.
How much has been allocated for e-bus maintenance in Odisha?
Approximately ₹238 crore has been earmarked for the maintenance of the e-bus service, which is planned for expansion to other cities across Odisha in the coming months.
What is CM Majhi's vision for Keonjhar and Odisha by 2036?
Chief Minister Majhi described the next decade as a 'decade of resolve' for Odisha, with Keonjhar playing a crucial role in building a 'Samruddha Odisha' — a prosperous state — by 2036. The investments in infrastructure, industry, and green mobility are framed as part of this long-term vision.
