TNI Bureau: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the closing ceremony of the Gopalpur Beach Festival 2026, describing the event as a unique blend of history, tradition, culture and nature.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced and launched development projects worth over ₹492 crore for Ganjam district. These included the inauguration of 15 projects worth over ₹50 crore and the foundation stone laying of 64 projects worth ₹442 crore. The projects cover key sectors such as health infrastructure, hostels, road construction and public amenities.
Among the major initiatives, the Chief Minister announced ₹32 crore for the development and beautification of Gopalpur beach.
In a significant cultural announcement, the Chief Minister directed the restoration of the prestigious “Upendra Bhanja Chair” at Berhampur University, which had remained inactive for several years. He also declared that the birth anniversary of poet Upendra Bhanja will be observed as a state-level festival every year, starting this year, with week-long celebrations from May 16.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that Ganjam district has played a leading role in Odisha’s art, culture, literature and history. He noted that the festival promotes tourism while creating livelihood opportunities for local people, women self-help groups and youth, and provides a dignified platform for artists and artisans.
He appreciated the district residents for their efforts in keeping beaches clean through beach cleaning drives, saying this has strengthened Odisha’s image as a state with clean and beautiful beaches.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that Patisonapur beach has earned the Blue Flag certification for the third consecutive time, and that efforts are underway to secure the certification for Gopalpur and Nolia Nuagaon beaches as well.
On infrastructure and economic development, he announced that the Gopalpur port will be expanded at an investment of ₹16,554 crore, which will increase its cargo handling capacity to 50 million metric tonnes and generate employment for about 5,000 youth. He further said that a new major port will be developed at Bahuda with an investment of ₹21,500 crore, strengthening the state’s port-led economy.
During the event, the Chief Minister released the festival souvenir “Shamuka,” a coffee table book on Ganjam, and the Ganjam-360 mobile application.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, Commerce, Transport, Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, and several MLAs including Purnachandra Sethi (Khalikote), Saroj Kumar Padhi (Aska), Krushna Chandra Nayak (Chhatrapur), Pratap Chandra Nayak (Kabisuryanagar) and Siddhant Mohapatra (Digapahandi) were present.
Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan delivered the welcome address, while Berhampur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prathamesh Arvind Rajshreke proposed the vote of thanks.
