Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant two-day visit to Odisha and Assam on February 3-4, where he will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects valued at over ₹68,000 crore. This visit, marked by a robust agenda, showcases the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and connectivity in the region.
Odisha Itinerary:
In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision to bolster the country’s energy security, a public program in Sambalpur on February 3 will witness the inauguration, dedication, and foundation stone laying of various projects aimed at enhancing the energy sector. Among these is the inauguration of the ‘Dhamra – Angul Pipeline Section’ (412 Km) of the ‘Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline Project (JHBDPL)’ – a project under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga,’ connecting Odisha to the National Gas Grid.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the ‘Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Section’ (692 Km) of the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline. These initiatives, costing over ₹2,450 crore and ₹2,660 crore, respectively, are poised to improve natural gas availability in Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
Further emphasizing the commitment to the energy sector, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for power projects valued at approximately ₹28,980 crore. This includes the NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW) in Sundargarh district, and the foundation stone laying of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×660 MW) in Angul district.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining low-cost power supply to Odisha and other states, these projects are integral to the nation’s energy security and contribute significantly to economic growth.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Talabira Thermal power project, valued at more than ₹27,000 crore. This state-of-the-art project aligns with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ providing reliable, affordable, and round-the-clock power.
Furthermore, the visit includes the inauguration of coal infrastructure projects by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, encompassing First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects – Bhubaneswari Phase-I in Talcher Coalfields in Angul district and Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS). With an investment of about ₹2,145 crore, these projects are designed to enhance the quality and supply of dry fuel from Odisha.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate the Ib Valley Washery in Jharsuguda district, a paradigm shift in coal processing for quality, symbolizing innovation and sustainability.
As part of the visit, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate a 50 km long second track of Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line Phase-1, constructed by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited with an investment of ₹878 crore.
The road sector will also witness significant development, with the Prime Minister inaugurating three National Highways projects with a cumulative cost of about ₹2,110 crore. These projects include the four-laning of Rimuli-Koida Section of NH 215 (New NH No. 520), the four-laning of Biramitrapur-Brahmani Bypass end section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143), and the four-laning of Brahmani Bypass End-Rajamunda Section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143). These endeavors aim to enhance connectivity and contribute to the economic development of the region.
In the railway sector, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for projects valued at approximately ₹2146 crore. This includes the foundation stone laying for the redevelopment of Sambalpur Railway Station, inspired by Sailashree Palace architecture, and the dedication of the Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Railway Line (168 km) and Jhartarbha to Sonepur New Railway line (21.7 km). These initiatives are poised to enhance rail network capacity in the region.
As a testament to the government’s focus on education, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the permanent campus of IIM-Sambalpur.
Moreover, he will dedicate the Jharsuguda Head Post Office Heritage Building to the nation, underscoring the importance of preserving historical structures.
Assam Visit:
On February 4, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Assam, where he is slated to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development initiatives worth more than ₹11,000 crore during a public program in Guwahati at around 11.30 am. This reinforces the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and development across regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha and Assam stands as a testament to the government’s dedication to infrastructure development, energy security, and economic growth. The unveiling of these diverse projects underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering connectivity, enhancing energy resources, and fortifying economic resilience in the region.
