Dharmendra Pradhan Launches ₹133 Cr Education and Infrastructure Projects in Kamakhyanagar

Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a slew of development initiatives worth ₹133.65 crore in Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal district. The projects, aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure and regional connectivity, are expected to drive socio-economic transformation in this central Odisha region.

A significant milestone was the inauguration of a temporary campus of Kendriya Vidyalaya at Kamakhyanagar Women’s College. The school, beginning this academic session, will offer classes from Grade 1 to 5 and accommodate nearly 240 students. Additionally, Pradhan laid the foundation for a permanent Kendriya Vidyalaya campus at Jantaribol, estimated at ₹30 crore.

Describing the initiatives as a collaborative achievement of the Centre and the Odisha government, Pradhan said the region—steeped in cultural pride and the legacy of freedom fighters like Baji Rout and Sarangadhar Das—is poised for a new era of progress. “This land of brave hearts is entering a phase of development that matches its historical significance,” he remarked.

The minister also inaugurated a ₹10.65 crore railway overbridge on the Kamakhyanagar bypass along NH-53, which is expected to significantly ease transportation bottlenecks. In addition, he unveiled 22 state government-led projects valued at ₹93 crore, covering sectors such as roads, public amenities, and education infrastructure.

Highlighting the broader vision under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Pradhan emphasized the need for early education in regional languages. “CBSE has already mandated primary education in mother tongues to ensure strong foundational learning,” he said. He also praised Odisha’s “Shishu Bati” initiative, under which over 45,000 pre-primary classrooms have been upgraded into child-friendly spaces.

“The Kendriya Vidyalaya inaugurated today is not merely a school—it’s a platform for equity and empowerment in one of Odisha’s aspirational districts,” Pradhan added. He concluded by stressing the role of language in leadership, stating, “Learning in one’s mother tongue nurtures the visionaries of tomorrow—leaders like Baji Rout and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.”