Keonjhar, November 6: In a major Diwali gift to the people of Keonjhar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday unveiled a series of development initiatives worth Rs 1,292 crore, covering education, healthcare, technology, industrial infrastructure and urban development.

These include the inauguration of 198 projects worth around Rs 412 crore and the laying of foundation stones for 132 projects worth around Rs 880 crore.

A major highlight of the programme was the launch of the third phase of the state government's flagship Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School Scheme. Foundation stones were laid for 630 model primary schools across Odisha, including 35 in Keonjhar district, at an estimated investment of Rs 4,000 crore.

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With this, the foundation stones for a total of 952 model schools have been laid in three phases.

In a significant push to higher education and employment generation, Majhi inaugurated the South Campus of Dharanidhar University, constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore.

He also laid the foundation stone for a 15-storey Tech-Business Park, which will come up over 5.51 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 237 crore.

During his visit to his home district, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Odisha's first fully indigenous technology-based Preventive Cancer Screening Centre at Dharanidhar Medical College. Developed with the support of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) at an investment of around Rs 6 crore, the centre will provide all screening services free of cost.

Majhi also laid the foundation stones for a seven-storey dental college costing Rs 58.40 crore and a 10-storey nursing college estimated at Rs 63 crore. He announced that a government pharmacy college would also be established in Keonjhar soon.

Other inaugurated facilities included a mother and child healthcare department built at a cost of Rs 10 crore and a modular operation theatre complex worth Rs 32 crore, besides a multi-utility centre, police outpost and a barrack.

To improve emergency medical services, 23 new ambulances were handed over to the district.

In another student-friendly initiative, the Chief Minister launched the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-based free bus travel facility for students of Dharanidhar University. He personally handed over the cards to students during the programme.

For improving urban sanitation, 26 vehicles and equipment, including light commercial vehicles, tractors, sprinklers and cesspool vehicles, were provided to the municipalities of Keonjhar, Joda and Barbil.