Jharsuguda: In a big push to accelerate development in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled projects worth over Rs 50,000 crore in key sectors like telecommunications, railways, higher education and health.
During his visit to Jharsuguda, Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a slew of transformative initiatives at the ‘Namo Yuva Samabesh’ event in Jharsuguda aimed at accelerating India’s infrastructure and digital growth.
The event was attended by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Jual Oram, and Deputy Chief Ministers K V Singh Deo & Pravati Parida.
Chief Ministers of eight other states and several Union Ministers, including Dharmendra Pradhan, joined the programme virtually.
The Prime Minister launched master plans for upgrading MKCG Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, VIMSAR Sambalpur into a super-speciality hospital and expansion of eight IITs, among others.
Modi laid the foundation stones for the expansion of eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country. This expansion aims to accommodate an additional 10,000 students over the next four years, bolstering the country’s higher education infrastructure.
In a significant boost to the telecommunications sector, the Prime Minister commissioned more than 97,500 4G telecom towers equipped with BSNL’s ‘Swadeshi’ technology. This move is part of India’s broader push for digital inclusion and self-reliance in telecom infrastructure. The towers will connect over 26,700 villages and serve more than 20 lakh new subscribers, enhancing access to education, healthcare, and e-governance services.
PM Modi also inaugurated a new 5 km flyover in Sambalpur City, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 273 crore, aimed at improving urban connectivity and easing traffic congestion.
This marks Modi’s sixth visit to Odisha within 15 months, following the BJP’s rise to power in the state in June 2024. The visit underscores the central government’s focus on accelerating development and infrastructure growth in Odisha.
