From Industrial Hub to Model District: Jharsuguda’s Strategic Planning for Rapid Development
Union-Backed Initiatives Focus on Local Employment, Sustainability, and Infrastructure
Jharsuguda, a district rich in industries and natural resources, is now on track to become a national model for development. With its significant contribution to India’s economy, especially in the mining and industrial sectors, a strategic roadmap is being prepared to elevate Jharsuguda to the top district in the country.
As part of this initiative, G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, visited the district on a three-day Odisha tour. Acting on the directions of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, he conducted a comprehensive review meeting with district-level officials at the Collector’s office. The meeting focused on unlocking Jharsuguda’s full potential through improvements in multiple sectors such as industry, health, education, infrastructure, and environment.
Key issues discussed included the urgent need for an industrial training institute to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the district. Despite the presence of numerous industries, most workers are being brought from outside due to a lack of local skilled labor. Kant emphasized that a dedicated skill development institute could play a crucial role in boosting local employment and enhancing industrial output.
The review also stressed the importance of improving health and education services. Kant suggested measures to fill vacant doctor posts in government hospitals, address nutritional deficiencies like anemia, and uplift school infrastructure. He also proposed the organization of employment fairs to provide job opportunities to local youth.
Environmental sustainability was another major focus. Kant reviewed the ongoing issues of fly ash pollution and emphasized the need for its permanent solution. He also highlighted the importance of increasing green cover and transforming Jharsuguda into a “Green City.” Progress on major infrastructure projects, including railway expansion and national highways, was also reviewed to ensure timely completion.
The meeting was attended by Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Collector Aboli Sunil Narawane, SP Smita P. Parmar, and several other senior officials. MLA Tripathy thanked Union Minister Pradhan for sending a seasoned policy expert like Kant to guide the district’s development strategy. He added that by 2036—when Odisha celebrates 100 years of its formation—Jharsuguda should be proudly standing as the leading district in India.
Kant assured that all findings and recommendations from the review would be compiled into a detailed report and presented to the central government in Delhi. The session also included a discussion on better utilization of CSR funds, with the suggestion of preparing an annual action plan for sustainable development initiatives.
This high-level intervention marks a significant milestone in Jharsuguda’s journey toward becoming a model district for the nation.
