THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR/KEONJHAR, FEBRUARY 14, 2026
Asserting that Keonjhar will be transformed into a centre of diversified
industrial growth beyond mining and steel, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan
Majhi on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a ₹100-crore
Textile Park and a ₹187-crore Disaster Recovery and Data Centre on the campus
of Dharanidhar University,
marking a significant step in the district’s industrial diversification and
digital infrastructure development.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister reiterated the State
Government’s commitment to developing Keonjhar into a multi-sector industrial
hub. He said the district would no longer be known only for mining and steel
but would emerge as a centre of diversified industrial growth. “Our vision is
to build a golden Keonjhar,” he said.
The Textile Park, to be developed with an investment of ₹100 crore,
is expected to generate employment for 1,200 youth. With modern infrastructure
and logistics support, Hindalco Industries Limited will establish a garment
manufacturing unit on seven acres of land, with an annual production capacity
of 24 lakh garments.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the textile sector, the
Chief Minister said industries are pillars of prosperity and the textile
industry, in particular, offers large-scale employment opportunities for women
and youth.
He further noted that during the O-Tex Textile Conclave held in
Bhubaneswar last July, 33 MoUs worth ₹7,800 crore were signed,
creating employment potential for more than 53,000 people across the State.
Along with a Technical Textile Park in Bhadrak, dedicated textile and apparel parks are being set up in
Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Balangir, Ganjam, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur. “Our youth
are strengthening the textile sector in other States; now similar opportunities
will be created in Odisha so that they can work near their homes,” he said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a ₹187-crore
Disaster Recovery and Data Centre to be developed by the Electronics and IT
Department through Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC). The facility will
function as a backup to the State
Data Centre in Bhubaneswar and ensure uninterrupted delivery of digital
government services during natural disasters or cyber threats.
Describing it as a critical infrastructure project, he said more than 400
government services are currently delivered online and citizens’ data must
remain secure, accessible and under State control. The centre will support data
localisation and strengthen the resilience of Odisha’s digital governance
framework. He added that Keonjhar, being located in a low seismic risk zone
(Zone II), has gained priority for the establishment of such vital digital
infrastructure.
Reiterating the government’s focus on balanced regional development, the Chief Minister said ₹312 crore has been allocated for temple development in the district and projects worth ₹1,900 crore had already been launched during the Makar festival. “A prosperous Odisha will be built through the prosperity of its districts. Industrial growth and digital strength are key drivers of our journey towards a developed India,” he added.
Keonjhar MP Ananta Naik, Patna MLA Akhil Chandra Naik, Telkoi MLA Dr Fakir Mohan Naik, District Collector Vishal Singh, OCAC CEO Pradeep Kumar Rout, Hindalco President Ardhendu Mahapatra, senior officials and a large number of local people were present at the programme.
