Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 27 October flagged off a special train from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station carrying nearly 1,000 delegates drawn from 19 Naxal‑free districts of the state to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. The delegation will attend the National Unity Day parade at the Statue of Unity on 31 October.
The group comprises representatives from districts that were previously affected by Maoist violence and, according to the state government’s public remarks, will share their experiences of living through the years of insurgency and the changes that followed restoration of peace and development.
“This year’s national parade will vividly showcase the picture of a fully Naxal‑free India,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said while addressing reporters, and he credited the combined efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the security forces for the change.
Focus on development in former extremist belts
Majhi emphasised that socio‑economic development and infrastructure creation remain the state’s priorities in areas formerly affected by left‑wing extremism. He highlighted the Gramoday Plus scheme operating in 10 focus districts as a vehicle to integrate welfare programmes and deliver services directly to targeted beneficiaries.
The state framed the train delegation and the planned public presentations at Ekta Nagar as a demonstration of transformation: moving communities from conflict zones into mainstream development trajectories.
Rail link approved connecting pilgrimage and mineral belts
In the same event, the chief minister announced that the Central Government has approved a new express route connecting Puri and Badampahar in Mayurbhanj district. The announcement was presented as a major infrastructure milestone for the state.
- Delegation size: nearly 1,000 delegates from 19 districts
- Event: National Unity Day parade at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar on 31 October
- State initiative: Gramoday Plus scheme in 10 focus districts to deliver welfare programmes
The Odisha government’s account places emphasis on the role of security forces alongside political leadership in achieving a Naxal‑free status for the listed districts and on continued development work in former conflict zones.
