BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on February 13 formally launched the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ scheme from Nabarangpur, stating that Jagannath is the Nath of the Universe and that no devotee should face any obstacle in seeking His blessings. Emphasising the spiritual and cultural significance of Bhagwan Jagannath in the lives of the people of Odisha, the Chief Minister said the scheme has been designed to ensure that every resident of the state gets at least one opportunity in their lifetime to have a dignified darshan of the deity.
Addressing a public gathering, Majhi grew emotional as he remarked that the day every poor devotee in the state could look into the round eyes of Mahaprabhu without any hindrance and shed tears of devotion would be the day his tenure as Chief Minister would find true meaning. He added that the satisfaction and happiness of devotees would be the greatest reward for him.
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଅସ୍ମିତା ଓ ଅନନ୍ୟ ଐତିହ୍ୟର ସୁରକ୍ଷା ସହ ଏକ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଗଠନ ପାଇଁ ଆମେ ପ୍ରତିଶ୍ରୁତିବଦ୍ଧ। ଏହି କ୍ରମରେ ଆଜି ନବରଙ୍ଗପୁରରରୁ ରାଜ୍ୟବାସୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ "ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଦର୍ଶନ ଯୋଜନା"ର ଶୁଭାରମ୍ଭ କଲି । ଆମ ସରକାର ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ଶାସନର କେନ୍ଦ୍ରବିନ୍ଦୁ ଭାବେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରେ ଏବଂ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଆଶା-ଆକାଂକ୍ଷାକୁ ପୂରଣ କରିବାକୁ ପରମ… pic.twitter.com/iVYtcnUcDM
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) February 13, 2026
The scheme was launched simultaneously in five districts: Nabarangpur, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Ganjam. Around 500 pilgrims from these districts began their journey to Puri under official escort. The government has set a target of facilitating darshan for 5,000 beneficiaries during the current year and more than one lakh eligible beneficiaries over the next four years.
What is the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ Scheme?
The scheme is specifically designed for economically weaker sections of society. Senior citizens aged 60 to 75 and widowed women aged up to 75 are eligible for the initiative. The state government has arranged air-conditioned bus transportation to ensure a comfortable journey for the pilgrims.
Accommodation has been arranged at Vrindavati Nivas in Puri, along with provisions for Mahaprasad. The initiative aims not only to facilitate pilgrimage but also to ensure that devotees undertake the journey with dignity, comfort, and spiritual fulfilment. The scheme reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive welfare by enabling underprivileged citizens to fulfil a long-cherished religious aspiration.
Foundation Stone Laid for Medical College in Nabarangpur
On the same occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a long-awaited government medical college in Nabarangpur district. The proposed medical college and hospital will be established on more than 50 acres of land at Patalguda. It will have 100 MBBS seats and a 420-bed hospital facility.
Majhi said that once operational, the institution would significantly improve healthcare access in the district. Residents will no longer need to travel to other districts for advanced medical treatment, as modern and comprehensive healthcare services will be available locally.
The Chief Minister further informed that within just 20 months of his government assuming office, three new medical colleges have already become functional in Jajpur, Kandhamal, and Talcher. In addition, medical colleges are planned in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak in the near future. He reiterated that strengthening healthcare infrastructure and addressing the shortage of doctors in the state remain top priorities of his government.
Development Projects Worth Rs 446 Crore Launched
During the programme, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 177 development projects in Nabarangpur district, collectively valued at over Rs 446 crore. Of these, 112 projects worth Rs 68 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 65 projects costing Rs 378 crore.
The projects span multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, roads, bridges, hostels, forest protection committees, and Anganwadi centres. Majhi stated that these initiatives would accelerate the district’s development trajectory and strengthen grassroots infrastructure.
Highlighting the district’s broader vision, the Chief Minister said the government is working with commitment in areas such as education, health, agriculture, transport, women’s empowerment, and self-reliance. He assured residents that despite Nabarangpur’s geographical distance from the state capital, it would never be distant from the mainstream of development.
At the event, beneficiaries of the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ scheme were distributed kit bags. Assistance was also extended to beneficiaries under the Construction Workers’ Welfare Scheme and various Social Security schemes.
Ministers Express Commitment
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Women & Child Development Pravati Parida said that visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple and climbing the sacred “Baisi Pahacha” steps is a lifelong aspiration for many devotees. She described the scheme as a dream project of the Chief Minister and said the new medical college would serve as a lifeline for the people of Nabarangpur.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling noted that three decades ago, Odisha had only three government medical colleges. Under the present government, steps are being taken to establish medical colleges in districts based on need. He announced that nine new government medical colleges are scheduled to be opened in the state during 2024–25.
Minister for ST & SC Development and School & Mass Education Nityananda Gond thanked the Chief Minister on behalf of the district’s residents, stating that a long-pending demand had finally been fulfilled in a short span of time.
The event was attended by Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, Rajya Sabha MP Mujibulla Khan, Nabarangpur MLA Gaurishankar Majhi, and Jharigaon MLA Narsingh Bhatra, among other public representatives and officials.
