Odisha has emerged as one of India’s strongest state economies with 7.9% growth, AI-led governance, and major infrastructure investments, says CM Mohan Charan Majhi
OdishaPlus Bureau
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated on Thursday that Odisha has established itself as one of the most robust state economies in India, characterized by strong growth and fiscal prudence.
During the governing council meeting of NITI Aayog, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the chief minister highlighted that the state achieved a growth rate of 7.9 percent in 2025-26 while keeping its fiscal deficit and debt levels within the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework.
Majhi noted that Odisha ranked first in NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index 2026 due to its ‘responsible governance and effective financial management.’
He credited the state’s economic progress to significant investments in infrastructure and the collaboration between the Centre and the state under the double-engine government model. He pointed out that the Union Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 10,928 crore for railway development in Odisha, with railway projects exceeding Rs 90,000 crore currently underway throughout the state.
Additionally, Majhi mentioned that the state is positioning itself as a prominent logistics and industrial hub, referencing the proposed Bahuda deep-sea port, the development of National Waterway-5, and the recent approval of two semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission as crucial factors anticipated to enhance manufacturing, trade connectivity, and investment inflow.
From inclusive human development to early childhood care, from skill development to the establishment of a knowledge economy, as well as the enhancement of sports infrastructure and overall well-being, Majhi identified essential factors that will empower Odisha to assume a leading role in the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Majhi emphasized that the state is prioritizing technology in its governance reforms. Odisha is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms to enhance the citizen-centricity, transparency, and efficiency of public services.
A significant initiative is Ama Sathi, a multilingual, voice-enabled platform that enables citizens to access government services through a streamlined digital interface.
He noted that the state government is also investigating the application of AI in areas such as grievance redressal, service delivery, agriculture, healthcare, education, and disaster management to improve decision-making and service outcomes.
In the agricultural sector, Odisha has conducted digital crop surveys encompassing over three crore land parcels via the AgriStack platform, marking one of the most comprehensive initiatives of its kind in the nation.
The data ecosystem is being integrated with input distribution, procurement systems, and market access mechanisms to enhance efficiency and increase farmer incomes. He mentioned that the state is also pursuing structural reforms and inclusive development to foster sustainable livelihoods.
“We have achieved the second rank in the country under the national deregulation initiative by implementing significant ease-of-doing-business reforms, thereby making Odisha more appealing for investment and job creation.”
The chief minister stated that Odisha’s strategy merges economic growth, social development, and technological innovation. “To maintain our demographic advantage, a stronger alignment between human capital investments and emerging economic opportunities will be essential,” he remarked.