CM Majhi Unveils ₹960 Crore Developmental Projects and Odisha's 3rd Doppler Weather Radar in Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar: In a major push for infrastructure and disaster resilience in Western Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 50 developmental projects worth approximately Rs960 crore in Sambalpur.

Speaking at a grand ceremony held at Gangadhar Meher University, CM Majhi dedicated 15 completed projects worth Rs133.47 crore and laid foundation stones for 35 new projects amounting to Rs825.83 crore. The extensive package covers critical sectors including healthcare, rural development, road and building construction, and mega-lift irrigation.

"Sambalpur is the heart of Western Odisha's rich art, culture, and tradition, and remains a central pillar in our journey toward building a 'Samruddha Odisha 2036'," Chief Minister Majhi stated during his address.

A Technological Leap: 'Make in India' Doppler Weather Radar

The crown jewel of the visit was the inauguration of the country's 51st – and Odisha's third – state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar (DWR). Built under the 'Make in India' initiative, the 24/7 operational radar is designed to provide precise meteorological forecasts within a 250 km radius and track weather movements up to 450 km away.

This advanced facility is set to transform disaster management and agricultural planning across 13 districts, including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Balangir, and Kalahandi, alongside parts of neighboring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

"This Doppler radar will serve as a blessing for the protection of lives and livelihoods, bringing precision forecasting right to our farmers in the Mahanadi basin,"

— Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi

Experts noted that the radar's capability to estimate rainfall at a 150-meter resolution every 10 minutes will significantly streamline inflow management for the Hirakud Dam.

Driving Western Odisha's Growth and Infrastructure

Highlighting the state's aggressive development timeline, the Chief Minister pointed out that total investments executed in Sambalpur between January and September have crossed Rs1,910 crore. Shedding light on industrial development and employment in Western Odisha, he noted that major projects like Hindalco's Rs 40,000 crore expansion in Lapanga and JSW-JFE Steel's rs32,000 crore plant in Rengali are actively underway. Other Highlights were:

Major Infrastructure & Connectivity

• ₹1,521-Crore Four-Lane Bypass: A massive transit project accelerated to streamline traffic, reduce urban congestion within Sambalpur city, and speed up logistics.

• ₹585-Crore Roads and Buildings Portfolio: Part of the freshly laid foundation stones and inaugurations aimed at expanding the district's internal transport network.

• Burla-Hirakud Ring Road & Remed-Hirakud 4-Lane Road: Critical city artery expansions progressing rapidly to ease commuting.

• ₹238.14-Crore Ainthapali Bus Terminal: Encompasses the immediate terminal cost and its comprehensive 10-year maintenance framework.

Water, Public Health & Citizen Lifelines

• ₹450-Crore 'Drink from Tap' Project: Funded under AMRUT 2.0, this game-changer will supply 100 million litres of purified water daily across all 41 city wards to permanently resolve recurring water crises and jaundice issues.

Tourism, Urban Culture & Recreation

• 'Hirakud Dam Master Plan': A long-term strategic formulation aimed at re-engineering the areas surrounding the iconic dam.

• ₹100-Crore Samalei Scheme Phase-2: Accelerated heritage corridor work surrounding the iconic Maa Samaleswari Temple to boost local tourism and cultural identity.

• ₹100-Crore Aqua Park: A landmark recreational and tourism infrastructure project designed for the citizens.

• ₹74.72-Crore Sports Infrastructure: Encompasses the modernization of the Sambalpur Football Academy and other regional athletic venues.

Future Outlook & Expansion

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, joining the event via a virtual message, lauded Odisha's transition into a climate-resilient state and announced plans to add 40 more Doppler radars nationwide.

Echoing these sentiments, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reinforced the state's strict adherence to a 'Zero Casualty' policy during natural calamities. CM Majhi concluded by announcing that similar advanced Doppler radars will soon be installed in Balasore, Bhubaneswar, and Puri to fortify Odisha's tech-driven disaster response network.
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