Bhubaneswar: Strengthening Odisha’s energy backbone, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday initiated a major infrastructure push by laying the foundation for a 420/220 kV grid substation at Barbil in Keonjhar district, with an investment of ₹1,647 crore.
Launched on the birth anniversary of Madhusudan Das, the project is expected to significantly enhance power availability in the mineral-rich district. The Chief Minister said the initiative aligns with the state’s broader vision of transforming Keonjhar into a leading industrial centre in eastern India.
In addition to the substation, five key transmission lines, including infrastructure at Uchchabali and Keonjhar, were inaugurated to reinforce the electricity network. These developments are projected to improve power supply for over 7 lakh consumers across several blocks, including Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumpura, Joda, and Barbil.
Focusing on reliability and efficiency, Majhi highlighted that new transmission linkages such as TTPS–Joda and Turumunga–Rairangpur will ensure seamless power flow between industrial and domestic sectors. He also announced the adoption of a hotline maintenance system, allowing repair work without interrupting electricity supply.
Pointing to the future of energy management, the Chief Minister said Odisha is advancing towards a digitally monitored power system. The upcoming State Load Despatch Centre at Mancheswar will centralise operations, while multiple grid stations will be brought under remote monitoring for quicker fault detection.
He further noted that with the number of consumers nearing one crore, the state is planning 34 additional grid substations by 2036 to meet rising demand. The expansion will include high-capacity transmission systems to support both urban and industrial growth.
Highlighting parallel industrial plans, Majhi said projects such as a proposed steel plant by JFE Steel and a new ring road will further strengthen Keonjhar’s infrastructure base.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said the initiative will improve power supply not only in Keonjhar but also in neighbouring regions, adding that Odisha is on track to address power shortages in the near future.
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