Mineral Belt Spark: Odisha’s ₹1,647 Cr Move to Electrify Keonjhar

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,647 crore power grid project at Uchchabali in Keonjhar district, aimed at strengthening electricity infrastructure in the mineral-rich region.

The project involves the development of a 420/220 kV grid substation in the Badabil area, expected to benefit around 7.17 lakh consumers across Keonjhar Sadar, Telkoi, Jhumpura, Joda, and Badabil. Emphasising the importance of reliable power, the Chief Minister noted that uninterrupted electricity supply is critical for regional development and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Keonjhar into a prosperous district. He also highlighted that upgrading existing grid infrastructure in Badabil and Palasapanga remains a priority.

Underscoring Odisha’s focus on digitalisation in the power sector, he stated that the State Load Despatch Centre at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar will act as the central hub for power management. Through the State Transmission Asset Management System (STAMS), around 70 grid stations will be remotely monitored, enabling faster fault detection and improved operational efficiency.

With nearly one crore electricity consumers across the state, Odisha plans to add 34 new substations by 2036 and develop higher-capacity 765 kV grids in key districts, strengthening its transmission network to meet future demand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.