Keonjhar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for a 420/220 KV grid substation at Uchhabali in Joda block of Keonjhar district, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,647 crore, on the birth anniversary of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. During the event, he announced plans to develop Keonjhar as the second Jamshedpur of eastern India.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated five new transmission lines, including the Uchhabali substation. This project is expected to benefit approximately 7.17 lakh consumers in the areas of Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumpura, Joda, and Barbil. He emphasized that a quality and uninterrupted power supply is essential for a developed society and reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming mineral-rich Keonjhar into a ‘golden’ district. He noted that the project will help balance industrial and domestic power demand.
Furthermore, he mentioned that priority will be given to upgrading the Barbil and Palaspanga grids to prevent power disruptions. The government plans to implement a hotline maintenance system, allowing for repairs while electricity flows through the lines.
The newly constructed State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) at Mancheswar will serve as the ‘heart’ of the state’s power management system. Under the STAMS project, 70 grids will be managed remotely, enabling quick fault resolution. He expressed optimism that this initiative would elevate Odisha’s power transmission system to world-class standards, supporting industrial growth.
The Chief Minister highlighted the growth of the state’s power infrastructure, noting that the number of electricity consumers has surged from 16 lakh in 2000 to 1 crore today. To sustain this growth, 34 new grid substations are planned by 2036. Additionally, plans are underway to establish 765 KV grids for the first time in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, and Gajapati. The new SLDC at Mancheswar will further enhance power management capabilities.
Reaffirming his commitment to Keonjhar, he stated that the district, abundant in mineral resources, will be developed into a ‘golden’ Keonjhar. He mentioned ongoing projects like the Barbil ring road and a proposed mega steel plant, indicating that Japan’s JFE Steel has been invited to establish a plant in Keonjhar to produce ‘electrical steel’ in the future. Infrastructure is being developed to meet industrial demands for the next two decades. He expressed confidence that Odisha will become a prosperous state within the next 10 years.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stated that the government is dedicated to expanding the power system throughout the state. He noted that the new grid substation will not only benefit Keonjhar but will also extend power supply to Sundargarh, Angul, and Boinda regions. He emphasized the goal of providing electricity to all remote areas in Keonjhar that currently lack connections. Following the Prime Minister’s directive, Odisha aims to overcome its power crisis by 2028.
