Bhubaneswar, Jun 20: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly unveiled development projects worth over Rs47,600 crore in Odisha on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the BJP government in the state. The initiatives span energy, infrastructure, health, education, tourism, and irrigation, aiming to boost connectivity, energy security, and employment opportunities.

Energy & Industrial Projects

Key projects include the 600-MW Upper Indravati pumped storage project and Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station with two 660-MW units. The Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda was also launched, alongside a municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant in Bhubaneswar.

Connectivity & Transport

Infrastructure upgrades featured prominently, with the foundation stone laid for a bridge over the Kathajodi river linking Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, widening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga road, and four-laning of the Nuapada-Ghatipada section of NH-353. Two railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs732 crore were inaugurated to ease congestion on the Howrah-Chennai main line and improve freight movement.

Social Infrastructure

Together, the leaders inaugurated a 300-bed district hospital in Boudh, 24 Atal bus stands, nine automated testing stations, and a sports complex with a tribal research centre in Rairangpur. Educational initiatives included an IGNOU regional centre and an indoor badminton complex.
Also Read: President Murmu, PM Modi Offer Prayers at Tribal Sacred Sites in Odisha's Pahadpur Village

Tribute to Mayurbhanj

During his address, PM Modi extended birthday greetings to President Murmu and announced that her late husband's native village, Pahadpur, would be developed as a “Surya Gram,” powered by renewable energy and equipped with modern infrastructure. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Majhi were also present.