PM Modi Unveils Rs 50,000 Crore Projects in Odisha, Pledges Rapid Development for State
From indigenous 4G rollout to new rail lines, upgraded hospitals, and housing for tribal families, the initiatives target inclusive growth and digital empowerment
Bhubaneswar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth over Rs 50,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Spanning telecommunications, railways, education, healthcare, skill development, and rural housing, the initiatives are aimed at accelerating the state’s progress and uplifting the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities.
Addressing a massive gathering, the Prime Minister began by extending Navratri greetings and expressed gratitude for visiting the sacred land of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi. He also highlighted the strong participation of women at the event, calling their presence and blessings a source of strength. Reflecting on Odisha’s resolve during the 2024 Assembly elections, Modi said both the central and state governments are working together to achieve the vision of a developed Odisha.
Digital leap with BSNL’s indigenous 4G
A key highlight of the event was the launch of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) fully indigenous 4G services. Marking the company’s 25th anniversary, Modi announced that nearly one lakh new towers will connect over 30,000 villages that previously lacked high-speed internet. Designed to be 5G-ready, the network is expected to benefit more than two crore people across the country, especially in remote and tribal areas.
“This achievement places India among the top five countries with homegrown 4G technology,” Modi said, underlining the milestone as a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Many of the towers are solar-powered, creating India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites and ensuring sustainable connectivity.
Rail upgrades to boost trade and tourism
The Prime Minister also turned his attention to Odisha’s rail infrastructure. He flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express connecting Berhampur in southern Odisha with Surat in Gujarat, offering faster passenger services that will support both trade and tourism.
He also laid the foundation stone for a rail flyover at Sambalpur-Sarla, while dedicating to the nation the doubling of the Koraput–Baiguda and Manabar–Koraput–Gorapur lines. Together, these projects—worth nearly Rs 1,700 crore—will improve freight efficiency, reduce congestion, and strengthen mineral transport from Odisha’s resource-rich districts.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joined the programme virtually from Surat.
Focus on education and skill development
In the education sector, Modi announced the expansion of eight IITs, including new research parks, at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore. These facilities will create capacity for 10,000 students over the next four years, boosting higher technical education nationwide.
Odisha will also benefit from the second phase of the state Skill Development Project. New World Skill Centres are being set up in Sambalpur and Berhampur, while ITIs are being upgraded to train youth in emerging sectors like renewable energy and AgriTech. Additionally, the MERITE scheme will modernize 275 state engineering and polytechnic institutions, ensuring access to quality technical training closer to home.
Healthcare and housing for vulnerable communities
Healthcare infrastructure in Odisha received a major boost with the foundation stone for upgrading MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambalpur into super-speciality hospitals. These facilities will provide advanced trauma care and specialized medical services for people across the state.
On the social front, Modi distributed sanction orders to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, providing pucca houses to vulnerable families. Of these, 40,000 belong to tribal households covered under the PM Janman Yojana, aimed at improving living standards for marginalized communities.
New industrial opportunities for Odisha
The Prime Minister further announced the approval of two semiconductor units and a dedicated semiconductor park for Odisha, positioning the state as an emerging hub for high-tech manufacturing. He also referenced a Rs 70,000 crore shipbuilding package, expected to attract Rs 4.5 lakh crore in investments and create millions of jobs. These measures, he said, will significantly benefit Odisha’s industries and workforce.
Women’s health and GST reforms
Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to empowering women through initiatives like the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” campaign, which has already facilitated health screenings for over three crore women nationwide. He urged women in Odisha to actively participate in health camps addressing diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
He also highlighted the recent GST reforms, effective from September 22, which have lowered taxes on essential goods. These measures, he said, are saving households Rs 15,000–20,000 annually and reducing costs for farmers on equipment such as tractors. Modi criticized opposition-led states for imposing extra taxes, citing Himachal Pradesh’s tax on cement as an example of anti-people policies.
A vision of “Viksit Odisha”
The programme was attended by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Jual Oram. Several other Union Ministers and Chief Ministers joined via videoconference, underscoring the national significance of the event.
With projects such as solar-powered 4G towers, rail upgrades, super-speciality hospitals, and new housing schemes, the government emphasized its commitment to making Odisha a key driver of India’s growth. Modi concluded by affirming that the coming decade would take Odisha toward unprecedented prosperity, aligning with his vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
Also read :
