Bhubaneswar, January 24: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and member Dr Arvind Virmani called on Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday here.
The meeting focused on Odisha’s development priorities, ongoing reforms, and future collaboration between the State Government and NITI Aayog.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister highlighted the significant progress made by Odisha in infrastructure and connectivity, particularly in roads, irrigation, power and logistics, which are driving both industrial expansion and rural growth. He emphasised the State’s focused approach towards strengthening MSMEs, developing manufacturing clusters, attracting investments, and generating employment through skill development aligned with local economic potential.
The Chief Minister sought support of NITI Aayog for the development of the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER), envisaged as a major engine of growth and rapid urbanisation for the State.
He underlined that the proposed economic region, with nearly 90 priority projects, has the potential to transform Odisha’s urban and industrial landscape and requested NITI Aayog’s guidance and support, including funding through the Urban Challenge Fund.
Appreciating the State’s development trajectory, Bery praised the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the reform-oriented approach of the Government of Odisha.
He noted that Odisha has emerged as one of the top-performing States in terms of fiscal health and has created a strong and stable business climate conducive to industrial development and investment. He appreciated the state for the steps taken for effective reforms that could catapult industrialisation in the state.
Bery observed that Bhubaneswar deserves special attention as a model city, with emphasis on efficient sewage management, cleanliness, green spaces and sustainable urban infrastructure.
He suggested adopting global best practices, including a “Texas model”-like integrated urban planning approach, to develop Bhubaneswar as a benchmark city for the country.
He further commended Odisha’s proactive collaboration with NITI Aayog in areas such as green energy transition, data-driven governance, skilling ecosystem reforms, tribal empowerment through value chain development, and innovative initiatives like Living Labs under the Frontier Tech Lab.
Dr Arvind Virmani also appreciated the State’s forward-looking policies and its commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government of Odisha accords the highest priority to ease of doing business and investment facilitation, in alignment with the National Reform Agenda. He expressed confidence that the partnership with NITI Aayog would further accelerate Odisha’s journey towards inclusive growth, industrial development and improved quality of life for its citizens.
The meeting, attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Principal Secretary, Finance, Sanjib Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswat Mishra, and Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, focused on Odisha’s development priorities, key reform initiatives and strategic projects aimed at accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth in the State.
