In a historic and rare joint public appearance, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch projects worth over ₹47,600 crore in Odisha on Saturday. As reported by Business Standard, the mega event, themed 'Vikas ra dhara, Odisha sara' (Flow of development across Odisha), will be held at Rairangpur — Murmu's hometown and is expected to showcase the state's development agenda across sectors ranging from energy and industry to roads, healthcare, education and irrigation. The visit marks a significant occasion as President Murmu will join the Prime Minister during the visit, making it a rare and historic occasion for the state. According to Business Standard, the projects span multiple sectors including energy, roads, irrigation, health, education and industrial infrastructure, and are being unveiled on the second anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha. PM Modi addressed the gathering in Rairangpur, stating that eastern India, which he claimed remained underdeveloped during the Congress era, is now emerging as a gateway to growth and development. The Prime Minister emphasized that 'The BJP government in Odisha has also completed two years in office. On this occasion, it is a privilege to be among you all and to visit Mayurbhanj. Your presence here in such large numbers makes this moment very special for me.'
Among the most significant projects, the foundation stone of Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district will be laid. As reported by Business Standard, this project involves an investment of around ₹25,000 crore and will promote cleaner utilisation of domestic coal resources, reduce import dependence and create new industrial and employment opportunities in the region. In April, BCGCL and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) signed an agreement for the country's first indigenous coal-to-ammonium nitrate project, which will be spread across 350 acres of MCL land. At around 11.15 am, the President and the Prime Minister will visit Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj district, offering prayers at the sacred groves, Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, and visiting the Skill Centre and Pahadpur School.
Among the major projects for foundation stones, the 600 MW Upper Indravati pumped storage project and the Stage-II expansion project of the IB Thermal Power Station comprising two units of 660 MW each will be inaugurated. According to Business Standard, these projects will enhance energy security and support economic growth in Odisha. The programme will also include a 300 tonnes per day source-segregated municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant at Bhubaneswar, a bridge over the Kathajodi river providing direct connectivity between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, and the widening and strengthening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga Road in Boudh district. At around 1 pm, the President and the Prime Minister will participate in the programme themed 'Vikas ra dhara, Odisha sara'.
PM Modi will dedicate two railway multi-tracking projects worth more than ₹732 crore to the nation as part of the development programme. As reported by Business Standard, the 19-km Jakhapura-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Baitarani Road multi-tracking project, built at a cost of ₹323 crore as part of the Bhadrak-Nergundi multi-tracking project, is expected to ease congestion on the heavily loaded Howrah-Chennai main line and improve passenger and freight movement. The 27-km Hindol Road-Meramandali multi-tracking project, completed at a cost of ₹409 crore as part of the Budhapank-Salegaon multi-tracking project, will enhance train handling capacity and facilitate smoother movement of coal, steel, power-sector inputs and other industrial commodities.
The Prime Minister announced a significant solar initiative during his visit to Pahadpur village, stating that 'Pahadpur village will now be rapidly developed as a solar village. This means that every household here will have access to solar power. Odisha's Konark Sun Temple has a unique identity. In the same way, Pahadpur will earn the identity of a Solar Village. This will provide free electricity to the villagers, and any surplus power generated will become a source of income for them.' The Prime Minister also inaugurated the 300-bed district headquarters hospital building at Boudh and 13 rural roads in six districts. As reported by Business Standard, other projects include six mega piped water-supply projects, 24 Atal Bus Stands and nine automated driving-testing stations across various districts. The programme will also feature the Nayagarh Town Bypass on NH-57, the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project, and the Jakhapura-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Baitarani Road multi-tracking project.
Officials stated that the projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve connectivity, enhance energy security and generate employment opportunities across Odisha. According to Business Standard, these initiatives will further accelerate growth in tribal and rural regions and extend the benefits of development to every corner of the state. PM Modi highlighted the state's investment momentum, stating that 'Our government is transforming Odisha's resources into Odisha's possibilities. Large investments are coming to Odisha, new industries are being set up here, and campaigns like Utkarsh Odisha are being run for this purpose. Under this, investment proposals worth nearly ₹20 lakh crore have already been received. Work is also underway on numerous mega projects worth more than ₹3.5 lakh crore.' The Prime Minister also referred to two upcoming milestones, the centenary of Odisha's formation in 2036 and 100 years of India's independence in 2047, stating that 'Odisha's goals and the nation's aspirations are aligned. If Odisha's economy strengthens, India will strengthen.'
