# Odisha coastal and heritage development initiatives

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-coastal-and-heritage-development-initiatives
> Updated: 2026-10-12T23:47:40.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has focused on coastal preservation and infrastructure development within the state. Initially, the Chief Minister issued an appeal for coastline cleanliness to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day, noting that protecting marine ecosystems and shores is vital for the “Blue Economy” and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Following this, the administration shifted focus toward large-scale development in Puri. The Chief Minister ordered the acceleration of several projects intended to transform the area into a “world-class heritage destination.” These initiatives include the construction of the Sri Jagannath International Airport, heritage conservation, and the development of tourism infrastructure such as the Blue Flag Beach and the Sri Jagannath Interpretation Center. Additionally, the government is addressing local socio-economic needs, including the relocation of street vendors and the revitalization of historic cultural sites. During a recent high-level review, Majhi emphasized that delays and negligence in these initiatives will not be tolerated. The scope of heritage work has expanded to include the reconstruction of the Raghunandan Library and the restoration of the Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya using a traditional Gurukul model, alongside work on the Gundicha and Gopaljiu temples. To support local livelihoods, the Chief Minister directed the immediate relocation and rehabilitation of street vendors from the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to the vicinity of Sri Setu. Parallel to these regional developments, the administration has addressed urban housing needs. Majhi inaugurated 1,608 affordable housing units in Bhubaneswar and launched the PMAY-Urban BANDHU scheme, designed to provide affordable rental accommodation for migrant workers and low-income families. Expanding on these administrative efforts, the Odisha Cabinet recently approved 16 major proposals. This includes the ‘Dakshyata Vikas Yojana’, a ₹450 crore skill development scheme aimed at enhancing the employability of roughly 4.2 lakh youth through higher education links and foreign language training.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Odisha Cabinet approves major development and skill schemes

The Odisha Cabinet approved 16 proposals, including a ₹450 crore skill development scheme and major infrastructure projects to transform Puri into a global tourism hub and boost industrial employment.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-cm-majhi-orders-acceleration-of-puri-development-projects

### 2026-09-19: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi urges coastline cleanliness

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged citizens to keep the state's coastline clean to protect marine ecosystems and support a thriving Blue Economy.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-cm-mohan-charan-majhi-urges-coastline-cleanliness

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Cite as: Odisha coastal and heritage development initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-coastal-and-heritage-development-initiatives