Bhubaneswar, 19 February (H.S.): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging the development of the Sambalpur–Sundargarh–Jharsuguda–Bargarh cluster and the Angul–Dhenkanal cluster as two separate “City Economic Regions” to accelerate balanced economic growth in the state. The proposal is based on the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradeep economic region model.
In his letter, Pradhan noted that the Sambalpur–Sundargarh–Jharsuguda–Bargarh region, located along the Hirakud Dam and the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers, possesses abundant mineral resources and a strong industrial base. With significant tourism potential, the region can witness rapid growth in agriculture, services, and manufacturing through improved road, rail, and air connectivity. The presence of steel, aluminium, coal, and power industries, along with agro-based enterprises and the renowned Sambalpuri handloom sector, creates an integrated economic ecosystem capable of generating new employment and business opportunities.
Institutions such as NIT Rourkela, IIM Sambalpur, VSSUT Burla, and Sambalpur University have the potential to make the region a hub of innovation, start-ups, and the new-age economy. Geographically, the area lies close to the borders of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and within a 300-km radius of major cities including Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam. The minister also emphasized strengthening aviation infrastructure at Jharsuguda (Veer Surendra Sai Airport), Rourkela, Sambalpur (Jamadarapali), and Bargarh (Satibhata), while highlighting tourism prospects at Debrigarh, Bhimmandali, Vedvyas, and Khandadhar-Pradhanpat.
Similarly, the letter states that the Angul–Dhenkanal region is crucial not only for Odisha but also for India’s economic progress. Located in the central part of the state, it serves as a key gateway connecting coastal ports with mineral-rich western Odisha. The availability of coal, chromite, and iron ore makes it suitable for heavy industries, new manufacturing units, and renewable energy production. Major establishments such as NALCO, NTPC Kaniha, Talcher thermal power projects, and Mahanadi Coalfields form the backbone of the state’s energy supply.
The recently announced National Waterway-5 on the Brahmani river is expected to transform transportation and enable low-cost mineral movement between Talcher, Kalinganagar, and Paradeep. New investments in steel and defence manufacturing in Dhenkanal are promoting industrialisation, while IGIT Sarang and the Skill India Centre in Angul are enhancing youth employability. Tourism destinations such as Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Kapilas, and Saptasajya also offer prospects for sustainable economic development.
The Union Minister stated that the two clusters together contribute over 26 percent of the state’s GSDP and hold strong potential for investments in GCC data centres, electronics manufacturing, textiles, and food processing, particularly minor forest produce-based industries. Development of these corridors, he said, would ensure prosperity and public welfare through industrialisation and planned urbanisation.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Purvodaya” vision, Pradhan emphasized the need for development across all regions of Odisha. He added that creation of the two economic regions would accelerate industrial growth and generate thousands of employment opportunities for local youth. A detailed concept note on the proposal has also been submitted to the Chief Minister.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
