Bhubaneswar, Oct 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via video conferencing, laid the foundation stone for two major infrastructure projects in Odisha on Saturday.

The initiatives include a ₹100 crore Integrated Aqua Park in Sambalpur’s Hirakud, and a ₹59.13 crore state-of-the-art wholesale fish market in Bhubaneswar’s Pandara under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for these transformative steps taken under the Purvodaya Mission. He highlighted that these projects will significantly boost Odisha’s fisheries sector and contribute to the broader goal of economic empowerment in eastern India.

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In addition to these, PM Modi inaugurated and launched agricultural and allied sector projects worth over ₹42,000 crore across the country. Among them is the ₹24,000 crore PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.

ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଆଜି ଭିସି ଜରିଆରେ ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ହୀରାକୁଦରେ ପିଏମ୍ ମତ୍ସ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପଦ ଯୋଜନା ଅଧୀନରେ ୧୦୦ କୋଟି ଟଙ୍କା ବ୍ୟୟରେ ‘ଅତ୍ୟାଧୁନିକ ସମନ୍ୱିତ ଆକ୍ୱାପାର୍କ’ ଏବଂ ୫୯.୧୩ କୋଟି ଟଙ୍କା ବ୍ୟୟରେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ପାଣ୍ଡରାରେ ‘ଅତ୍ୟାଧୁନିକ ପାଇକାରୀ ମାଛ ବଜାର’ ପାଇଁ ଭିତ୍ତିପ୍ରସ୍ତର ସ୍ଥାପନ କରିଛନ୍ତି ।… pic.twitter.com/SrDMhB8EtM

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 11, 2025

The Prime Minister also announced the ₹11,440 crore Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, along with several initiatives in livestock, fisheries, and food processing sectors. These schemes are expected to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperative societies in agriculture, dairy, and fisheries.

Union Minister Pradhan emphasized that these steps are not only visionary but also revolutionary, as they aim to modernize rural economies and ensure inclusive growth.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Odisha’s economy, supporting over 60% of the state’s population. He spotlighted the ₹37,838 crore agriculture budget for 2025–26, which includes the Samruddha Krushak Yojana — offering a minimum support price of ₹3,100 per quintal along with input assistance for farmers.

He also highlighted the Self-Reliant Agriculture Mission, designed to reduce India’s dependence on imported pulses and edible oils. Odisha is set to play a leading role in the country’s Blue Revolution by expanding its aquaculture footprint.

A key part of this vision is the upcoming Aqua Park in Hirakud, spanning 95.47 acres, which is expected to be completed by January 2027 and will establish Sambalpur as a centre of excellence in fisheries.

Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and Union Minister Jual Oram lauded these forward-looking initiatives.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to full execution, aiming to position Odisha as a national leader in sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. The initiatives mark a significant milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance and digital transformation in agriculture and allied sectors.