Bhubaneswar, August 27:Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced a rehabilitation package for 112 families displaced by the Chelligada Irrigation Project, while outlining a series of major infrastructure and industrial initiatives expected to boost investment and employment in the state.

Under the rehabilitation package, each affected family will receive 10 decimals of homestead land and two acres of agricultural land. The land pattas are aimed at providing permanent residential security as well as restoring livelihood opportunities for families displaced by the irrigation project.

Majhi said the Chelligada Irrigation Project would significantly benefit agriculture in the region by providing irrigation to more than 6,000 hectares across Ganjam and Gajapati districts. The announcement underscores the government's focus on combining infrastructure development with rehabilitation and livelihood support for project-affected communities.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Odisha's plans to expand its port and industrial infrastructure, particularly around Gopalpur. He said the Gopalpur Port is being expanded, while a new port at Bahuda has been proposed at an estimated investment of Rs 22,000 crore.

The proposed Bahuda port is expected to have an annual handling capacity of 150 million metric tonnes, which the government believes will strengthen Odisha's maritime connectivity, trade and industrial potential.

Majhi further said 14 projects involving investments of more than Rs 40,000 crore are coming up at the Gopalpur Industrial Park. These projects are expected to generate more than 18,000 employment opportunities for skilled workers, local youth and people engaged in ancillary industries.

Outlining the state's broader employment strategy, Majhi said Odisha was entering a phase of rapid industrial and economic expansion.

"Rapid industrialisation and expansion of government recruitment will create more than five lakh employment opportunities in Odisha over the next two years," he said.

According to the Chief Minister, the projected employment generation will be driven by a combination of private investment, industrial projects, infrastructure development and recruitment in government departments.

Majhi also urged the state's youth to acquire relevant skills and prepare for emerging opportunities. "I urge the youth to acquire skills and prepare themselves to benefit from the emerging employment opportunities," he said.

The emphasis on skill development comes as Odisha seeks to ensure that local youth benefit from the large investments being attracted to the state. The government expects the expansion of ports and industrial projects to create opportunities not only in core industries but also across supporting businesses and services.

With the proposed Bahuda port, expansion of Gopalpur Port and major investments at the Gopalpur Industrial Park, the government expects the region's industrial ecosystem to receive a significant boost.

Taken together, the rehabilitation measures and planned investments reflect the Odisha government's dual focus on supporting families affected by development projects while using industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and government recruitment to drive employment and economic growth over the next two years.