Sambalpur, Jan 8: Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP, Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transform Sambalpur into a modern and developed city, while preserving its rich cultural heritage.

In a video message delivered during the “Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav – 2026”, Pradhan said that the “double engine government” at the Centre and State is working on several mega projects to boost the region’s economic growth and improve the lifestyle of its people.

Calling Sambalpur’s culture the “culture of the soil,” Pradhan described the city as a confluence of rich literature and unique traditions. He praised the Lok Mahotsav for showcasing Sambalpur’s identity to the world stage, highlighting its festivals, folk arts, and traditions as integral to Odisha’s cultural fabric.

Among the major projects announced, the Minister said Rs2,450 crore has been allocated for the redevelopment of Burla VIMSAR, while a Rs 1,437 crore ring road project will soon begin to ease traffic congestion in the city. Restoration of Ayodhya Sagar at a cost of Rs600 crore, development of the Mahanadi riverfront with Rs160 crore, and a 24-hour clean drinking water supply project worth Rs 450 crore with a daily capacity of 110 million litres are also underway.

Also Read: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Support for Odisha’s Education Transformation

Tourism development has been prioritized with Rs100 crore sanctioned for the first phase of Hirakud tourism projects and Rs 85 crore for Debrigarh. An aqua park at Basantpur is being constructed at a cost of Rs100 crore. Plans are also in place for an alternative national highway connecting Sambalpur with Jharsuguda.

ସମ୍ବଲପୁରର ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ସାହିତ୍ୟ, ଅନନ୍ୟ ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଏବଂ ଲୋକକଳାକୁ ବିଶ୍ୱ ଦରବାରରେ ପହଞ୍ଚାଇବା ଦିଗରେ ‘ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ଲୋକ ମହୋତ୍ସବ-୨୦୨୬’ର ଆୟୋଜନ ପ୍ରଶଂସନୀୟ । ସମ୍ବଲପୁରର ସଂସ୍କୃତି ହେଉଛି 'ମାଟିର ସଂସ୍କୃତି' । ଏଠାକାର ତିହାର୍, ପରବ୍ ଆଉ ଲୋକକଳା କେବଳ ମନୋରଞ୍ଜନ ନୁହେଁ, ବରଂ ଏହା ଆମର ପରିଚୟ । ‘ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ଲୋକ ମହୋତ୍ସବ' ହେଉଛି ଆମର… pic.twitter.com/995kvemTjG

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 8, 2026

In a post on X, Pradhan wrote: “The organisation of Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav – 2026 is commendable as it brings Sambalpur’s literature, unique culture, and folk art to the global stage. Festivals and folk traditions here are not just entertainment but our identity. This Mahotsav is a beautiful effort to showcase that identity to the world.”

With these initiatives, the government aims to balance cultural preservation with modern infrastructure, positioning Sambalpur as both a cultural capital and a hub of development in western Odisha.