In a major infra push in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Monday, laid the foundation stone for a new Lok Seva Bhavan (state secretariat), a modern Odisha Assembly building, and several other developmental projects totalling Rs 6,701 crore.
The ceremony, held at the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, marked the start of the prestigious Assembly and Secretariat project. The new assembly building and Lok Seva Bhavan project will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,623 crore and spread over 71.13 acres of land in the state capital.
The Chief Minister said that the proposed Assembly building will include a sophisticated legislative hall designed to accommodate up to 300 members.
“Today, we have 147 MLAs, which could increase after delimitation. I am not sure, but after delimitation, the number of members could be 200. Therefore, we have to construct a new assembly building keeping in view for the next 50/100 years,” Majhi said.
To optimise space and enhance administrative efficiency, the new premises for both the Assembly and Lok Seva Bhavan will feature extensive underground parking facilities.
Works Minister Pritiviraj Harichandan said that the campus, officially named ‘Lok Seva Bhavan and Mantralaya building,’ is designed as a premier hub for governance. He further stated that a comprehensive master plan for the project has already received official approval.
Justifying the need for the new secretariat, the CM pointed out that the current building is seven decades old and lacks the necessary office space to support modern administrative demands.
There is a need for a modern Lok Seva Bhavan due to expanded departments and staff numbers outgrowing the existing infrastructure, aligning with June 2025 government announcements for integrated new buildings.
Beyond the administrative buildings, Majhi also laid the foundation stone for a Rs 952 crore dedicated elevated corridor stretching from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan in Bhubaneswar.
This major transit project will feature flyovers at critical intersections, including Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana Square, and KIIT Square, along with a signature 4-lane cable-stayed bridge at the Jaydev Vihar junction.
Harichandan said to promote environmental sustainability, 22,410 trees will be planted along both sides of the corridor.
