Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed Naveen Patnaik as ‘Lokpriya’ (popular) Chief Minister of Odisha after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 20,000 crore at Chandikhole in Jajpur district.
“Today’s event is also a recognition of how rapidly the work culture has changed in our country over the years. The earlier governments were not interested in completing the projects on time. Whereas our government has ensured rapidly completion of all projects for which foundation is laid. After 2014, the projects which were stuck and lost in the country, have completed as was the case with Paradip Refinery project, which had been pending since 2002,” the PM said.
Highlighting the inauguration and foundation stone laying of mega development projects in the sectors of petroleum, natural gas, atomic energy, roadways, railways and connectivity, the Prime Minister said that it will boost industrial activities in the region and create new employment opportunities.
He also spoke about the 344 km-long product pipeline traversing from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal which was launched on the day. He also mentioned inaugurating the Paradip-Hyderabad Pipeline in Sangareddy, Telangana, on Monday and the 500 km long crude oil pipeline from Haldia to Barauni in Arambagh, West Bengal three days ago.
Major projects are underway for the supply of the natural gas in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha under the Urja Ganaga Yojana, he said.
PM Modi said that Indian Oil Corporation Limited Mono Ethylene Glycol project will revolutionise the polyester industry in eastern India and also help the textile parks in Bhadrak and Paradip get raw materials easily.
In the last 10 years, over 3000 km national highway have been laid while the railway budget has been increased by 12 times. “The central government is focussing on modern connectivity in Odisha so that local resources increase the economy of the state. To improve rail-highway-port connectivity, national highways are being expanded in Jajpur, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Khurda, Ganjam, Puri and Keonjhar,” he said.
The PM further said that the 5 MLD capacity seawater desalination plant at Odisha Sands Complex of IREL(I) Ltd in Ganjam district will treat almost 50 lakh litres of saline water everyday and make it suitable for drinking.
Besides inaugurating several highway projects, he also flagged off a new train between Puri and Anand Vihar (New Delhi) via Keonjhar station and first passenger train service on Haridaspur–Paradip rail route.
Earlier in his speech, the CM praised for having accelerated India’s economy. “The Prime Minister has given new growth trajectory to the Indian economy, which is going to be the third largest economy. I would request the PM’s cooperation for Odisha’s development.”
He also thanked the PM for launch of various projects for Odisha. “Odisha will soon become a major manufacturing hub of East India. The state has witnessed transformation in infrastructure development. It ranks second in the country in terms of investment,” he said.
Naveen also mentioned the ongoing renovation and beautification of Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur. “With the blessings of the Lord and the good wishes and cooperation of crores of Jagannath lovers, the Srimandir Parikrama Project and Samlei Project have already been inaugurated,” he said.
“While development has given Odisha a new identity, there is lot more that needs to be done. And therefore, I seek the support of the Prime Minister in the endeavour of 4.5 crore people of Odisha,” he added.
The CM also presented a painting of the Lord and His siblings to the Prime Minister.
Both the leaders also remember legendary leader Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary.
Governor Raghubar Das, and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Bishweswar Tudu were also present on the occasion.
PROJECTS DEDICATED TO THE NATION
>> Bansapani-Daitarl-Tomka-Jakhapura Rail Line (162 km)
>> 6-laning of Tangl-Bhubaneswar Section of NH-16 for 56.788 km
>> 4-laning of Singhara-Binjhabahal Section of NH-49 for 104.176 km
>> 4-laning of Balasore-Jharpokharia Section of NH-18 for 81.26 km
>> 4-laning of Binjabahal-Teleibani Section of NH-49 for 78.318 km
>> Khurda Road-Barang 3rd Rail Line (32.34 KM)
>> 5 Million Litres per day capacity seawater desalination plant at Ganjam
INAUGURATED
IOCL’s mono ethylene glycol project in Paradip Refinery
Indian Oil’s Paradip-Somnathpur-Haldia Product Pipeline
0.6 MMTPA LPG import facility at Paradip
CONCOR container depot in Kalinga Nagar
FOUNDATION STONES LAID FOR
>> 8-laning of Chandikhol-Paradip Section of NH-53 for 77 km
>> Electric Loco Periodical Overhauling Workshop at Norla
>> 4L+PS/2L+PS from km 0.000 to 35.800 of (Kuakhla-Mangalpur Section) of NH 20
>> Wagon Periodical Overhaullng Workshop at Kantabanjl
>> Wagon maintenance facilities at Baghuapal
FLAGGED OFF
New train between Puri-Anand Vihar terminal from Keonjhar railway station
New train between Paradip- Keonjhar from Paradip staion
Container train from MMLP Jajpur to ICD Dadri, Uttar Pradesh
