PM Modi lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 68,000 crore in Odisha

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 68,000 crore in Sambalpur, Odisha on Saturday. These projects aim to boost the energy sector involving natural gas, coal and power generation apart from important projects of road, railway and higher education sector.

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Inauguration of multiple pipelines projects

The Prime Minister inaugurated ‘Dhamra – Angul Pipeline Section’ (412 Km) of ‘Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline Project (JHBDPL)’. Built at a cost of more than Rs 2450 crore under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga’, the project will connect Odisha with the national gas grid.

The PM also laid the foundation stone of ‘Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Section’ (692 Km)’ of Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline. The project, which will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 2660 crore, will improve the natural gas availability to states like Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

Inauguration of Thermal Power Projects

During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple power projects worth about Rs 28,980 crore. The projects include NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2x800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1x250 MW) in Sundargarh district of Odisha. He also laid the foundation stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2x660 MW) in Angul district of Odisha.

These power projects will supply low-cost power to Odisha as well as several other states.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Talabira Thermal power project worth more than 27,000 crore. This state-of-the-art project will provide reliable, affordable and round-the-clock power contributing significantly to the nation’s energy security and playing a vital role in the country’s economic growth and prosperity.

Inauguration of coalfields projects

The Prime Minister inaugurated coal infrastructure projects of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) including First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects - Bhubaneswari Phase-I in Talcher Coalfields in Angul district and Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS). Built at a cost of about Rs 2,145 crore, these projects will boost the quality and supply of dry fuel from Odisha.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated Ib Valley Washery, built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore in Jharsuguda district of Odisha. It will mark a paradigm shift in coal processing for quality, signifying innovation and sustainability. The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation a 50 km long second track of Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line Phase-1 built by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, with an investment of Rs 878 crore.

Inauguration of national highways projects

The Prime Minister also inaugurated three national highways road sector projects, developed at a cumulative cost of about Rs 2,110 crore. The projects include four laning of Rimuli-Koida Section of NH 215 (New NH No. 520), four laning of Biramitrapur-Brahmani Bypass end section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143) and four laning of Brahmani Bypass End-Rajamunda Section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143). These projects will enhance connectivity and also contribute towards the economic development of the region.

Inauguration of national railway projects

Further, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of railway projects worth about Rs 2,146 crore. He laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Sambalpur Railway Station, whose architecture is inspired by the Sailashree Palace. He also dedicated the Sambalpur- Talcher Doubling Railway Line (168 Kms) and Jhartarbha to Sonepur New Railway line (21.7 Kms), enhancing the rail network capacity in the region. The Prime Minister also flagged off Puri-Sonepur-Puri Weekly Express, improving connectivity for the rail passengers in the region.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur. Further, he dedicated the Jharsuguda Head Post Office Heritage Building to the nation.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a significant occasion for the development journey of Odisha as development projects worth approximately Rs 70,000 crores are launched today in the sectors of education, railway, roads, electricity and petroleum. PM Modi underlined that the people of Odisha belonging to the poor section, labourers, working class, business owners and farmers among all other sections of society will reap the benefits of today’s development projects. He further added that it will also create thousands of new employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha.

“The goal of a Viksit Bharat can only be achieved if all the states are developed”, PM Modi remarked, as he mentioned lending maximum support to Odisha in every sector.

Noting that the region is known for its potential in mining, power and steel industries, PM Modi said that new connectivity will create possibilities for new industries in the entire region, thereby creating thousands of new employment opportunities. He also touched upon the doubling of Sambalpur-Talcher rail section and the inauguration of new rail line from Jhar-Tarbha to Sonpur section. Modi mentioned that the supercritical and ultra-supercritical thermal plants inaugurated today will ensure adequate and affordable electricity for every family in Odisha.

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