New Delhi: On September 27, 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The event coincided with the ongoing Navratri festival and included projects spanning telecommunications, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development, and rural housing.
Key Highlights and Initiatives
The Prime Minister expressed his greetings and salutations to the people, especially mothers and sisters present, acknowledging their blessings as a source of strength. He recalled the people’s commitment during elections to a developed Odisha and noted the rapid progress fueled by the combined efforts of the Central and State governments.
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Telecom and Digital Connectivity: Commissioned over 97,500 mobile 4G towers built using indigenous BSNL technology, advancing India’s position among the top five countries with fully indigenous 4G capabilities. These towers are solar-powered, connecting over 26,700 previously unconnected villages, including remote and border areas.
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Rail Infrastructure: Laid foundation stones for railway development projects including a flyover at Sambalpur–Sarla, doubling of the Koraput–Baiguda line, and the Manabar–Koraput–Gorapur line, aimed at boosting freight and passenger movement. Flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express connecting Berhampur to Udhna, enhancing affordable inter-state connectivity.
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Education and Skill Development: Announced the expansion of eight IITs to accommodate 10,000 new students and the launch of the MERITE scheme focused on upgrading engineering and polytechnic institutes nationwide. The Odisha Skill Development Project Phase II will establish world-class skill centers targeting emerging sectors.
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Healthcare: Laid foundation stones for the upgrade of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) and VIMSAR (Sambalpur) into super speciality hospitals with improved capacities and facilities.
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Housing: Distributed sanction orders for 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Griha Yojana, providing homes and financial aid to vulnerable rural families, including the differently-abled, widows, terminally ill patients, and natural calamity victims.
Emphasis on Inclusive Growth and Self-Reliance
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the government’s focus on serving the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities by delivering basic amenities and strengthening social welfare. He underscored Odisha’s abundant natural resources and the need to leverage them for prosperity over the coming decade.
Notably, two semiconductor units have been approved for Odisha, with plans for a semiconductor park, envisaging it as a future technology hub. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of developing indigenous technologies across industries as part of the vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Digital Education and Connectivity Impact
The indigenous 4G network launched via BSNL’s infrastructure is set to transform digital access in tribal and remote areas, enabling improved education, agriculture, telemedicine, and secure communications for armed forces. The infrastructure is designed to support 5G upgrades in the near future.
Closing Remarks
The event was attended by Odisha’s Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Shri Jual Oram, and several other dignitaries joining virtually. The Prime Minister praised the state government’s efforts and expressed confidence in Odisha’s accelerated developmental trajectory.
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Source: PIB
