Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to making Odisha one of India’s top five developed states while addressing the closing ceremony of the Developed Odisha Summit, jointly organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Small Industries Bharati.

The Chief Minister emphasized that agriculture, industry, and social development will serve as the growth engines of Odisha’s transformation. He highlighted the upcoming GST reform, set to be rolled out next month, as a game changer for India’s trade and consumption. “Lower GST rates will boost demand, increase manufacturing, and create more employment opportunities,” he said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the reform push.

Majhi presented the Vision 2036 roadmap, which he described as a “collective dream document of 4.5 crore people of Odisha.” The roadmap rests on three guiding principles: People First, Prosperity for All, and Technology-Led Development. Stressing the importance of inclusive growth, he added that the government’s efforts extend across key sectors such as mining, metals, petrochemicals, IT, startups, agriculture, food processing, tourism, and MSMEs.

Major infrastructure projects were also highlighted. Ongoing railway works worth ₹80,000 crore and highway projects over ₹12,000 crore are under execution, supported by the Centre. The Capital Region Ring Road, with an investment of ₹8,308 crore, was recently approved. The state has also committed to building 75,000 km of high-quality roads over the next five years, along with airport upgrades, port expansion—including four new ports in addition to the existing three—and irrigation for 15 lakh hectares of farmland.

Urban development was described as a priority, with a projection that 60% of Odisha’s population will live in cities by 2047. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur are being developed as models of modern infrastructure, with a focus on housing, smart planning, and sustainability.

The MSME sector, cited as Odisha’s largest employment generator, will be empowered through cluster-based development, easier credit, and digital platforms for market access. “Our aim is to make economic growth inclusive and ensure that no section of society is left behind,” Majhi said.

Supporting the Chief Minister’s vision, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampada Chandra Swain underlined the need for collective effort, youth empowerment, and effective use of resources. “We cannot just dream—we must act to fulfill the goal of a developed Odisha,” he remarked.

The summit was attended by MSME and Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Minister Gokulanand Mallick, Principal Secretary Bhupendra Singh Punia, ICC Director General Dr. Rajiv Singh, BJP State President Manmohan Samal, Laghu Udyog Bharati President Gopal Das Agarwal, and ICC Chairman Rajiv Sahu, among other dignitaries.

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