Dharmendra Pradhan Launches ₹280 Crore Development Projects in Deogarh

Deogarh: Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 124 development projects worth around ₹280 crore in Odisha’s Deogarh district, giving a significant boost to infrastructure and welfare initiatives in the region.

Out of the total projects, 63 worth ₹130.79 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 61 projects valued at ₹147.70 crore. The initiatives cover key sectors including education, irrigation, rural infrastructure, and social welfare.

Among the major highlights, the permanent campus of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Deogarh, built at a cost of ₹31.40 crore, was dedicated to the public. Spread across 9.22 acres, the campus features 45 rooms, 24 smart classrooms, three science laboratories, and two computer labs, and is expected to benefit over 1,000 students. The school is also set to be expanded up to Class XII.

An Integrated Urban Hostel at Deogarh College was also inaugurated to support students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said the projects would strengthen the district’s social and economic infrastructure and improve the overall quality of life. He highlighted the Centre’s focus on transforming Deogarh under the “Sahakar se Samriddhi” initiative, with emphasis on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and sustainable use of forest resources, along with improvements in irrigation, education, and healthcare.

He also referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, calling it a transformative step under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance women’s representation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Pradhan alleged that opposition leaders, including Naveen Patnaik, are not supportive of increasing women’s representation.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to development, he said the “double-engine” model aims to accelerate progress by incorporating public feedback and ensuring quicker resolution of local issues.

Odisha Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik and Deogarh MLA Romancha Ranjan Biswal were also present at the event.