Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Odisha and Assam on 3rd February to 4th February, 2024 and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several projects.
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Odisha
During his visit to Odisha on 3rd February,2024, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various infrastructure projects worth over Rs 68,000 crore in Sambalpur, Odisha.
- The projects were related to various sectors such as: railways, road, higher education and energy sector which includes coal, natural gas and power areas.
- The event was attended by Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Raghubar Das, Governor of Odisha, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister.
Development Projects related to Railway Sector
PM Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of railway projects worth Rs 2,146 crore. He laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of Sambalpur railway station.
- The architecture for the redevelopment of railway station was inspired by the Sailashree Palace in Odisha.
i.He flagged off the Puri-Sonepur-Puri weekly express to enhance connectivity in the region.
ii.He dedicated 168 km long Sambalpur- Talcher Doubling Rail line.
- He also inaugurated 21.7 km long Jhartarbha to Sonepur New Railway line.
Benefit: These projects will improve the rail network capacity in the region.
Development Projects related to Power Sector
PM Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of several power projects worth Rs 28,980 crore.
i.He laid the foundation stone of NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MegaWatt (MW)) and NSPCL (NTPC-SAIL Power Company Limited) Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW) in Sundargarh district, Odisha.
ii.He also laid the foundation stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage 3(2×660 MW) in Angul district, Odisha.
Significance: These projects will supply low-cost power to Odisha and many other states.
Development Projects related to Natural Gas and Oil
i.PM Modi inaugurated 412 km- long Dhamra-Angul Pipeline section of the Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra (JHBDPL) pipeline project.
About JHBDPL Pipeline Project: It is built at a cost of Rs 2,450 crore under “Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga”. It will connect Odisha with National Gas Grid.
ii.He also laid the foundation stone of “Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline” project.
About Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Project:
i.It is 692 km long pipeline that will connect Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline.
ii.The estimated cost of the project is more than Rs 2,660 crore.
iii.It will improve the natural gas availability to states like: Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Development Projects related to Road Sector
PM Modi inaugurated three road sector projects of National Highways(HWs), which are developed at a cost of about Rs 2,110 crore to contribute towards economic development of the region.
i.It includes 4-laning of Rimuli-Koida section of NH215 (New NH No.520).
ii.Also, 4-laning of Biramitrapur-Brahmani Bypass end section of NH23 (New NH No.143).
iii.4-laning of Brahmani Bypass end- Rajamunda section of NH23 (New NH No.143).
Odisha’s 1st Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Sambalpur
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur on 3rd February, 2024 in Odisha.
i.It is built at a cost of Rs 400 crore.
PM laid the foundation stone for 1st phase of NLC India’s Talabira Project in Odisha
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of 1st phase of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) Talabira Thermal Power Project.
About the Project:
i.It will be developed at an estimated cost of more than Rs 27, 000 crore.
ii.The project covers 2400 MW capacity in its initial phase and will cover additional 800 MW in the second phase with an investment of over Rs 800 crore.
Significance:
i.It is coal-based Ultra Super Critical Pit Head Thermal Power Plant which will provide reliable, affordable and 24×7 power and will significantly contribute in energy sector of India.
ii.It will play important role in promoting economic growth and prosperity in the country.
Other Key Projects inaugurated in Odisha
i.PM inaugurated coal infrastructure projects of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited which includes First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects such as: Bhubaneswar Phase-I in Talcher Coalfields in Angul district and Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS).
- It is built at a cost of about Rs 2,145 crore. These projects will improve quality and increase supply of dry fuel from Odisha.
ii.He also inaugurated Ib Valley Washery which is built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore in Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
- It holds great significance as it will improve quality in coal processing and give boost to innovation and sustainability.
iii.He also dedicated the Jharsuguda head post office heritage building to the country.
PM Modi laid foundation stone for various projects worth Rs 11,600 crore in Assam
On 4th February, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various development projects worth Rs 11,600 crore in Assam.
- Some of the infrastructure projects are jointly funded by State and Central Government.
PM laid the foundation for the following projects:
i.Kamakhya corridor will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 498 crore.
ii.A six-lane road connecting the new airport terminal in Guwahati at cost of Rs 358 crore.
iii.Upgradation of Nehru stadium to FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) standards worth Rs 831 crore.
iv.New sports complex will be built in Chandrapur with estimated cost of Rs300 crore.
Other Key Projects inaugurated in Assam
i.PM also inaugurated the 2nd phase of “Asom Mala” roads which includes upgrading and construction of 43 roads and 38 concrete bridges with required investment of Rs 3,444 crore as part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Corridor Connectivity .
ii.He also laid the foundation stone for the integrated new building of the Gauhati Medical College with an estimated cost of Rs 3,250 crore.
iii.He laid the foundation of Karimganj Medical College Hospital worth Rs 578 crore and the Unity Mall in Guwahati built with cost of Rs 297 crore.
iv.He inaugurated the 4-lane road from Biswanath Chariali to Gohpur developed at a cost of Rs 1451 crore.
v.4-lane road from Dolabari to Jamuguri constructed at a cost of Rs 592 crore.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister(CM): Naveen Patnaik
Governor: Raghubar Das
Capital: Bhubaneswar
National Park(N.P.): Similipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park
