Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, 6 November 2026, laid the foundation stones for the third phase of the state's flagship school development programme in Kendujhar district, asserting that primary education is the cornerstone of social transformation. The event saw the launch and inauguration of 330 projects worth ₹1,292 crore aimed at accelerating development across the district.

Third Phase of School Scheme Launched

Speaking at the special event, Chief Minister Majhi laid foundation stones for 630 schools across Odisha under the third phase of the Pandit Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya Yojana, including 35 schools in Kendujhar district alone. All 630 schools will be constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹4,000 crore. The scheme aims to develop one primary school in every gram panchayat into a model institution, known as an Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya.

'With this objective, one primary school in every gram panchayat is being developed as an Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya (model primary school) under the Pandit Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya Yojana,' Majhi said at the gathering.

Key Inaugurations in Kendujhar

Among other major milestones during the visit, Majhi inaugurated the South Campus of Dharanidhar University, constructed at a total cost of ₹14 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for a 15-storey Tech-Business Park — described as the most modern technology business establishment in northern Odisha — to be built on approximately 5.51 acres at an estimated cost of ₹237 crore. The park is intended to generate employment opportunities for youth in the region.

'Through these projects, the youth of Kendujhar will no longer have to go to Bengaluru or Hyderabad; instead, immense opportunities for employment and progress have opened up right here on their own soil,' the Chief Minister said.

Healthcare and Medical Education Boost

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the state's first fully indigenous technology-based Preventive Cancer Screening Centre on the premises of Dharanidhar Medical College, supported by the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) at an estimated cost of ₹6 crore. All services at the centre will be provided free of charge. Additionally, Majhi laid foundation stones for a seven-storey dental college building worth ₹58.40 crore and a 10-storey nursing college building at an estimated cost of ₹63 crore, and announced the establishment of a Government Pharmacy College in Kendujhar.

Scale of Development Across Kendujhar

In total, 330 projects worth ₹1,292 crore were either inaugurated or had foundation stones laid during the event. Of these, 198 projects worth approximately ₹412 crore were formally inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 132 new projects valued at more than ₹880 crore. This comprehensive push spans education, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure.

Notably, Kendujhar is Chief Minister Majhi's birthplace. Speaking in an emotional address, he said that despite holding the state's top office, he remained the same 'Mohan Bhai' for the people of the district, pledging to continue serving his birthplace for as long as he lived. With the third phase of the school scheme now under way, the administration's next benchmark will be execution timelines and delivery of promised jobs and educational outcomes.