Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the state’s budget for 2025-26 on February 17, 2025, with a total outlay of ₹2.9 lakh crore. The budget emphasizes substantial investment in infrastructure, with a particular focus on expanding the state’s road network and enhancing women’s welfare.
In his first full budget since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in June 2024, Majhi outlined plans for a capital expenditure of ₹65,012 crore, representing 6.1% of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), one of the highest among major Indian states.
The budget is expected to be financed primarily through ₹2.32 lakh crore in revenue receipts and ₹58,000 crore in borrowings and other receipts. The state aims to maintain fiscal discipline, with a projected revenue surplus of 3% of GSDP and a fiscal deficit capped at 3.2% of GSDP, in line with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) norms.
A key proposal in the budget is the creation of an autonomous body, the Highways Authority of Odisha, which will mirror the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Majhi highlighted plans to develop 75,000 km of world-class roads by 2029-30, leveraging coordination between multiple government departments. Key road projects include the Atal Expressway (linking Malkangiri to Mayurbhanj) and major corridors like Jharsuguda–Balasore and Rourkela–Jaleswar. A ₹13,000 crore investment will go toward a city road decongestion plan in Bhubaneswar, while ₹6,502 crore will be allocated for a six-lane expressway from Berhampur to Jeypore.
Majhi also announced a vision for regional urban development, particularly around the Bhubaneswar-Khurda-Cuttack corridor, with plans for a metropolitan development region encompassing 7,000 square kilometers.
On the social front, the government is enhancing its focus on women’s empowerment through the Subhadra scheme. For 2025-26, ₹10,145 crore has been earmarked for this initiative, aimed at promoting financial independence and safety for women. The government also plans to introduce Subhadra Plus, an expanded version of the scheme that includes several sub-programs, such as Kishori Subhadra and Subhadra Surakhya, focusing on various aspects of women’s welfare, including security and skill-building. An additional ₹153 crore will be allocated for the Subhadra Surakhya program to ensure the safety of women.
Furthermore, the CM announced the launch of the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, a mass marriage initiative that will cover all expenses for the bride and promote social welfare.
The budget, with its robust focus on infrastructure, women’s welfare, and fiscal prudence, is set to shape Odisha’s development in the coming years.
