Baripada: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 47,600 crore in Odisha during a special event at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district to mark the completion of two years of the state government.
Altogether 72 projects were launched jointly by Murmu and Modi. The projects covered important sectors such as energy, transportation, industrial infrastructure, irrigation, healthcare, education, tourism and urban development.
Among the key projects for which foundation stones were laid during the ‘Vikas Ra Dhara, Odisha Sara’ programme 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station comprising two 660 MW units, and the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district.
A host of key infrastructure initiatives also got a boost with the laying of foundation stones for a 300-tonne-per-day Municipal Solid Waste-based Compressed Biogas Plant in Bhubaneswar, a new bridge over the Kathajodi River connecting Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, the widening and strengthening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga Road in Boudh district, and the four-laning of a section of National Highway-353 from Nuapada to Ghatipada.
The projects launched at the event also included the Kusumdihi Megalift Irrigation Project, an IGNOU Regional Centre at Rairangpur and an Indoor Badminton Complex.
The President and the Prime Minister also inaugurated several completed projects, including a 300-bed District Headquarters Hospital in Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands and nine Automated Testing Stations across the state. Other inaugurated projects included the Nayagarh Town Bypass on NH-57, the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project, a Sports Complex and a Tribal Research Centre at Rairangpur.
In a major boost to railway infrastructure, Murmu dedicated two railway projects worth over Rs 732 crore to the nation. Developed under the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway (ECoR), the projects are expected to enhance rail capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen freight and passenger connectivity across Odisha.
One of the projects, the Jakhapura–Jajpur Keonjhar Road–Baitarani Road multi-tracking project, was completed at a cost of Rs 323 crore. The 19-km stretch forms part of the larger Bhadrak–Nergundi multi-tracking project and is aimed at easing congestion on the busy Howrah–Chennai main line.
The second railway project, the Hindol Road–Meramandali multi-tracking project, was completed at a cost of Rs 409 crore over a 27-km stretch. Part of the Budhapank–Salegaon multi-tracking project, it is expected to improve train handling capacity, eliminate operational bottlenecks and facilitate smoother movement of coal, steel, power-sector inputs and other industrial commodities.
The new projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve connectivity, enhance energy security and create employment opportunities, particularly in Odisha’s tribal and rural regions. The event formed part of the state government’s celebrations marking two years in office under the theme “Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara.”
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited Pahadpur, the in-laws’ village of President Droupadi Murmu, and offered prayers at the revered tribal shrine. The visit marked a moment of cultural significance and spiritual unity.
Modi performed rituals at the Goshani Peeth, a sacred place for tribal communities, and planted saplings to promote environmental awareness. President Murmu joined him in the worship ceremony, symbolising harmony and respect for Odisha’s tribal heritage.
The Prime Minister interacted warmly with students at SLS School, sharing thoughts and encouragement. His visit reflected deep appreciation for Odisha’s tribal traditions and the values of sustainability and education.
