The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has greenlit 11 key proposals spanning five departments. Notably, the Cabinet endorsed the “Atal Bus Stand” scheme to construct modern bus stands statewide. This initiative aims to enhance public transport infrastructure by unifying bus stands under a single framework for improved management and standards.
Under the Atal Bus Stand Scheme, bus stands will be established at various locations, including district, sub-divisional, and block headquarters, as well as tourist spots. These stands will be categorized based on public demand and transportation needs. The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation, under the Commerce and Transport Department, will oversee the scheme with a budget of Rs 3,400 crore allocated until FY 2031–32.
In addition to the bus stand scheme, the Cabinet approved significant projects in various sectors. The Water Resources Department secured approval for a Rs 135 crore irrigation project in Cuttack district, benefiting 3,641 hectares of land through an underground pipeline system. Furthermore, a reservoir near Kharod village will support irrigation in drought-prone regions.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department introduced an Operation and Maintenance Policy for Rural Drinking Water Supply-2026 to enhance water quality and infrastructure upkeep through community involvement. Additionally, a major infrastructure project for a grid substation in Keonjhar district was sanctioned to bolster power supply in the region. These decisions underscore the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, irrigation, public services, and administrative reforms.
