THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JANUARY 24, 2026
In a significant engagement
underscoring the deepening partnership between the Government of Odisha and
NITI Aayog, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Suman Bery, accompanied by Member Dr
Arvind Virmani, called on Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan
on Saturday to deliberate on the State’s development priorities, ongoing
reforms and future avenues of collaboration.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister
highlighted Odisha’s steady progress in strengthening infrastructure and
connectivity, particularly in the areas of roads, irrigation, power and
logistics, which are emerging as key enablers of both industrial expansion and
rural growth. He emphasised the State’s focused approach towards empowering
MSMEs, developing manufacturing clusters, attracting investments and generating
employment through skill development aligned with local economic potential.
Seeking NITI Aayog’s support for the
development of the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER), the
Chief Minister described the proposed region as a major engine of growth and
rapid urbanisation for Odisha. He noted that the initiative, encompassing
nearly 90 priority projects, has the potential to transform the State’s urban
and industrial landscape, and requested NITI Aayog’s guidance and support,
including funding through the Urban Challenge Fund.
Appreciating Odisha’s development
trajectory, Suman Bery lauded the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan
Majhi and the reform-oriented approach of the State Government. He observed
that Odisha has emerged as one of the top-performing States in terms of fiscal
health and has fostered a strong and stable business climate conducive to
industrial development and investment. He also appreciated the effective
reforms undertaken by the State that could significantly accelerate
industrialisation.
Bery noted that Bhubaneswar deserves
special attention as a model city, with a strong focus on efficient sewage
management, cleanliness, green spaces and sustainable urban infrastructure. He
suggested the adoption of global best practices, including a “Texas model”-like
integrated urban planning approach, to develop Bhubaneswar as a benchmark city
for the country.
He further commended Odisha’s
proactive collaboration with NITI Aayog in critical areas such as green energy
transition, data-driven governance, skilling ecosystem reforms, tribal
empowerment through value chain development, and innovative initiatives like
Living Labs under the Frontier Tech Lab. Dr Arvind Virmani also appreciated the
State’s forward-looking policies and its commitment to inclusive and
sustainable growth.
Reiterating the State Government’s
priorities, the Chief Minister affirmed that Odisha accords the highest
importance to ease of doing business and investment facilitation in alignment
with the National Reform Agenda. He expressed confidence that the strengthened
partnership with NITI Aayog would further accelerate Odisha’s journey towards
inclusive growth, industrial development and an improved quality of life for
its citizens.
The meeting was attended by Chief
Secretary Anu Garg, Principal Secretary, Finance Sanjib Mishra, Principal
Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswat Mishra, and Development Commissioner
D.K. Singh, and focused on key reform initiatives and strategic projects aimed
at accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth in the State.
