Bhubaneswar, Jun 19 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will jointly launch development projects worth over Rs 47,600 crore in Odisha on Saturday, officials said.
President Murmu, who arrived in the state on Friday evening, will join the PM for the programmes, marking a rare and significant occasion for the state.
As a ‘gift’ to Odisha on the second anniversary of the state’s BJP government, the two constitutional heads will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects across sectors, including energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, health, education, tourism and irrigation, at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, according to an official statement.
The projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve connectivity, enhance energy security and generate employment opportunities across the state.
“Reflecting the PM’s vision of inclusive and holistic development, these initiatives will further accelerate growth in tribal and rural regions and extend the benefits of development to every corner of the state,” the statement said.
Among the major projects for which foundation stones will be laid are a 600 MW Upper Indravati pumped storage project and the stage-II expansion of the IB thermal power station, comprising two units of 660 MW each. These projects will enhance energy security and support economic growth in Odisha, it said.
The Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district will also see its foundation stone being laid.
Other projects include a 300-tonne-per-day municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant at Bhubaneswar, a bridge over Kathajodi river linking Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, widening and strengthening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga road in Boudh district, four-laning of the Nuapada–Ghatipada section of NH-353, the Kusumdihi mega lift irrigation project, an IGNOU regional centre and an indoor badminton complex at Rairangpur.
Two important multi-tracking railway projects worth over Rs 732 crore will also be dedicated to the nation.
The Jakhapura-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Baitarani Road multi-tracking project (19 km) was constructed at a cost of Rs 323 crore as part of the larger Bhadrak–Nergundi multi-tracking project.
The project will enhance capacity on the heavily loaded Howrah–Chennai main line, reduce congestion, improve punctuality and ensure faster movement of passenger and freight trains, a railway officer said.
Similarly, the Hindol Road–Meramandali Multi-tracking project will also be inaugurated on Saturday. The 27-km railway project was completed at a cost of Rs 409 crore. The section is part of the Budhapank-Salegaon multi-tracking project.
This project will significantly increase train handling capacity, remove operational bottlenecks and support the smooth movement of coal, steel, power-sector inputs and other industrial commodities, he said.
The PM will also inaugurate the 300-bed district headquarters hospital building at Boudh, along with 24 Atal bus stands and nine automated testing stations across various districts.
Other important projects to be inaugurated include the Nayagarh town bypass on NH-57, the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi smart irrigation project, sports complex and tribal research centre at Rairangpur. PTI BBM BBM MNB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.