Finance
On Thursday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi authorized the massive Mahanadi River Front Development Project, a showpiece program aimed at transforming riverbanks into thriving cultural, tourism, and environmental hotspots.
The project, expected to cost ₹240 crore, would be implemented over three years (2025-26 to 2027-28) and fully supported by the state government’s Water Resources Development Department.
Majhi announced the decision, describing the Mahanadi as Odisha’s lifeline, and stating that the plan would give the riverfront a new identity as a hub for environmental, cultural, and spiritual tourism, as well as contribute to economic growth in the state.
The project’s primary goals include developing social and cultural facilities along the riverbanks, promoting water sports, amusement and science parks, and herbal gardens through private partnerships, controlling erosion and river structures, ensuring proper waste disposal to keep the river clean, conserving water to aid drinking supply during times of scarcity, and revitalizing the surrounding ecosystem through sustainable resource development.
Development will be done in two stages. The first spans the Mahanadi riverfront extends from Mandalia to Chaunpur in Sambalpur, with amenities such as jogging tracks, selfie sites, open gyms, renovated ghats, bathing and aarti ghats, theme plazas, shopping complexes, playgrounds, parking lots, and restrooms. This phase will require an investment of ₹160 crore.
The second phase will concentrate on the Kuakhai and Kushabhadra rivers near Pandara in Bhubaneswar, including riverfront ghats, floating jetties, beautiful overlooks along the ring road, lock gates, bridges, interior pedestrian routes, cafeterias, parking lots, and restrooms. This phase will cost ₹80 crore.
Officials stated that the project will blend tourism, environment, and community spaces, ensuring that the Mahanadi riverfront becomes an iconic attraction.
