PM Modi Inaugurates Rs.18,600 Crore Development Projects in Odisha, Celebrates One Year of BJP Government. 

“Odisha is not just a state, but a shining star of India’s heritage,” says PM. 

Bhubaneswar:

In a landmark visit to Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs. 18,600 crore, commemorating the completion of one year of the first BJP government in the state. The ceremony, held in Bhubaneswar, marked a celebration of governance, cultural pride, and development across sectors, including health, infrastructure, energy, and tribal welfare.

Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi hailed the day as the “anniversary of good governance devoted to public service,” while congratulating Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his team. “Odisha has embraced the mantra of development and heritage,” said the Prime Minister, asserting that the state’s role in India’s progress has grown immensely.

A Symbolic Shift in Governance

Highlighting the transformative journey of Odisha over the past year, PM Modi said, “This is not just a change of government, it’s the beginning of a new era of inclusive and accountable development.” He praised the state leadership for initiating reforms swiftly and decisively, citing examples such as the reopening of all four gates of the Shree Jagannath Temple and the inspection of the temple’s sacred Ratna Bhandar.

The Prime Minister underscored the significance of Odisha in India’s civilizational fabric. “Odisha has enriched Indian culture for centuries. Now, as development and heritage merge to define India’s growth path, Odisha’s responsibility and contribution have become even more vital,” he said.

Milestones Unveiled

Among the highlights of the Prime Minister’s visit:

• Launch of development projects worth over Rs. Un18,600 crore across drinking water, irrigation, rural infrastructure, national highways, and healthcare.
• New railway line inaugurated, extending rail connectivity to Boudh district for the first time.
• Flagging off 100 electric buses in Bhubaneswar under the CRUT system to enhance sustainable urban mobility.
• Release of the Odisha Vision Document, outlining development goals up to 2036 and 2047.
• Launch of the Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana, a heritage preservation scheme to commemorate eminent Odias.
• Recognition of 16.5 lakh Lakhpati Didis, women who have achieved self-reliance through entrepreneurship and government support.

Eastern India as a New Growth Engine

Reiterating the Centre’s focus on “Purvoday” — the rise of eastern India — PM Modi stated, “Development of 21st-century India will gain momentum from Eastern India, and Odisha will lead that charge.” He pointed to a string of mega projects such as the Paradip petrochemical hub, LNG terminal in Gopalpur, and a crude oil storage facility in Chandikhole, aimed at transforming Odisha into an industrial powerhouse.

Highlighting connectivity, he said, “Thousands of crores are being invested in Odisha’s road, rail, and air networks — from Paradip to Jharsuguda, industrial corridors are coming up that will generate lakhs of jobs.”

Empowering the Marginalized

A key focus of the Prime Minister’s speech was the empowerment of Odisha’s tribal population. “Earlier regimes only exploited tribal communities for votes, ignoring their welfare. Our government has taken decisive steps to change that,” PM Modi said.

He elaborated on two landmark tribal schemes:

• Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan – Encompassing 60,000 tribal villages nationwide, including road, electricity, housing, and water infrastructure in Odisha.
• PM Janman Yojana – Inspired by Odisha’s own tribal legacy and supported by the guidance of President Droupadi Murmu, this scheme targets Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with focused development projects.

PM Modi also noted that Naxalite violence, once rampant in tribal areas, had now been confined to under 20 districts nationwide due to combined security and development efforts.

From Neglect to Welfare

Criticizing previous administrations for “red-tapism and apathy,” the Prime Minister recalled how lakhs of families in Odisha were excluded from central welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM-KISAN. “Today, nearly 3 crore people in Odisha receive health coverage, and our farmers benefit from higher MSP and double assistance from both state and Centre,” he said.

He announced that over 23 lakh elderly citizens in Odisha are now eligible for ₹5 lakh health coverage under PM Vaya Vandana Yojana, and fishermen have begun receiving Kisan Credit Cards for the first time.

A Vision for the Future

With eyes set on the centenaries of both Odisha (2036) and India’s independence (2047), PM Modi said the BJP-led Odisha government has laid out an ambitious roadmap. “We’re not just planning for five years, but for decades. I have full confidence in Odisha’s youth to deliver on this vision,” he said.

Dignitaries Present

The Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, and other senior dignitaries attended the historic event.

In Conclusion, PM Modi’s visit and the launch of transformative initiatives signal a turning point in Odisha’s development journey — a fusion of cultural pride and economic ambition, designed to elevate the state as a model for Eastern India and beyond.