Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Andhra Pradesh(AP) and Odisha from 8th January to 9th January 2025 to launch various projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore to promote sustainable development, industrial growth, and infrastructure enhancement.
The various projects include,
- Laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various railway and road projects worth over Rs.19,500 crore in AP.
- First Green Hydrogen Hub under National Green Hydrogen Mission(NGHM) launched in Pudimadaka, AP.
- 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas(PBD) convention inaugurated in and remotely flagged-off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to AP:
Development works worth over Rs. 2 Lakh Crore launched in Visakhapatnam:
On January 8 2025, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various railway and road projects worth over Rs.19,500 crore in AP.
i.He laid the foundation stone for South Coast Railway Headquarters at Visakhapatnam with an aim to promote agriculture, trade, tourism, and regional economic activity.
ii.The foundation stone was also laid for a Bulk Drug Park in Anakapalli district to boost economic activity.
- It will support economic activity through its proximity to the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and other industrial regions.
iii.The Foundation Stone of Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) under Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor was laid in Tirupati District of AP.
- The project is estimated to gather investments of approximately Rs.10,500 crore and connect with other industrial corridors to strengthen regional growth.
First Green Hydrogen Hub under NGHM launched:
On 8th January 2025, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub project in Pudimadaka, Anakapalli district, AP.
- It is the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the NGHM. The estimated cost of the project will be Rs.1.85 lakh crore.
ii.The project will be jointly developed by NGEL and the New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP).
iii.It will include the development of 20 Gigawatt(GW) of Renewable Energy(RE) projects, production of 1,500 tonnes per day(TPD) of green hydrogen and 7,500 TPD of green hydrogen derivatives such as green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel primarily for export markets.
iv.The project will contribute substantially in achieving India’s non-fossil energy capacity target of 500 GW by 2030.
Note : The Union Cabinet launched the NGHM in 2023 with an outlay of Rs.19,744 crore from Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 to FY 2029-30 to make India a global hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha:
18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas(PBD) convention inaugurated:
On 9th January 2025, PM Modi inaugurated the 18th PBD Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
i.It is organized by the Government of India(GoI) in collaboration with the Odisha Government.
- The theme of the event is ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’.
PM flags off inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express:
On 9th January 2025, PM Modi inaugurated the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train which will start its journey from Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi(Delhi).
i.The train has been developed for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) aged between 45 and 65 years and belonging to low-income categories.
ii.It has been introduced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
iii.The train will cover multiple destinations of religious and tourist importance, including Ayodhya, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kochi, Goa, Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Ajmer, Pushkar and Agra under the ‘Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana.’
About Andhra Pradesh(AP):
Chief Minister(CM)– Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor– Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital– Amaravati
Tiger Reserve – Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
About Odisha:
Chief Minister(CM)– Mohan Charan Majhi
Governor– Hari Babu Kambhampati
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Tiger Reserve – Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve
