TNI Bureau: On the occasion of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das Jayanti, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Keonjhar and laid the foundation stone for a massive 400/220 KV grid substation project at Uchhabali in the Barbil region. The project, to be built at a cost of ₹1,647 crore, is aimed at transforming Keonjhar into a major industrial hub and strengthening uninterrupted power supply across the district.
During the event, the Chief Minister declared that Keonjhar would be developed as the “second Jamshedpur of Eastern India,” outlining a long-term roadmap for what he described as “Sunaara Keonjhar” (Golden Keonjhar). He said the responsibility for Keonjhar’s development lies with him and emphasized that the mineral-rich district deserves to receive its rightful share of growth and prosperity.
Along with the main grid substation, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation for five new transmission lines. The project is expected to benefit nearly 7.17 lakh consumers across Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumpura, Joda, and Barbil areas by ensuring quality and uninterrupted electricity supply.
Highlighting the project’s technical strength, he said the region would be connected through a strong power network using 400 KV LILO lines, along with TTPS-Joda and Turumunga-Rairangpur lines. This would help maintain a balance between industrial and domestic electricity demand.
In a major announcement, the Chief Minister said the state would introduce “Hotline Maintenance,” allowing repair work to be carried out even while power lines remain live. This means there will be no need for power cuts during maintenance work, significantly reducing outages and improving consumer convenience.
He also stressed the importance of smart power management and digitalisation in Odisha’s electricity system. Referring to the new State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) at Mancheswar, he said it would function as the “heart” of the state’s power management system. Through the STAMS project, around 70 grids will be remotely monitored and managed for faster fault detection and resolution.
Speaking about Odisha’s future power infrastructure, the Chief Minister said the state had only 16 lakh electricity consumers in 2000, but that number has now crossed one crore. To meet future demand, Odisha plans to establish 34 more grid substations by 2036. He also announced plans for 765 KV grids for the first time in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, and Gajapati.
Reiterating his commitment to Keonjhar, he said the district has enriched Odisha for decades and now it is time to return that prosperity to Keonjhar. He also shared updates on the Barbil ring road project and the proposed mega steel plant. Japan-based JFE Steel has been offered an opportunity to set up a plant in Keonjhar for the production of future-ready electrical steel.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development model, the Chief Minister said India is becoming self-reliant in solar, wind, and nuclear energy under his leadership. He added that the double-engine government is committed to taking development to every village and every family in Odisha and expressed confidence that the state would become prosperous within the next ten years.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also addressed the gathering and said the government is working strongly to expand electricity infrastructure across Odisha. He said the new grid substation would not only strengthen Keonjhar but also improve power supply in Sundargarh, Angul, and nearby regions. He further stated that by 2028, Odisha aims to overcome its electricity crisis completely.
Several dignitaries attended the programme, including Keonjhar MP Ananta Nayak, Telkoi MLA Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik, Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, and Keonjhar Collector Vishal Singh.
