Bhubaneswar, 19 June (H.S.) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha on June 20, where he will be joined by President Droupadi Murmu in a rare and significant engagement for the state. The visit will include programmes in Mayurbhanj district and the launch of a series of major development initiatives worth more than ₹47,600 crore.

The President and the Prime Minister are scheduled to arrive at Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj district at around 11:15 am. During their visit, they will offer prayers at the sacred Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera groves and visit the Skill Centre and Pahadpur School. The programme is expected to highlight ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening education, skill development and socio-economic empowerment in tribal and rural areas.

Later, at around 1 pm, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi will participate in a public programme at Rairangpur to mark the completion of two years of the Odisha Government. The event, themed “Vikas Ra Dhara, Odisha Sara,” will witness the inauguration and foundation laying of multiple development projects across the state. Prime Minister Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The projects, valued at over ₹47,600 crore, span key sectors including energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, healthcare, education, tourism and irrigation. These initiatives are expected to enhance infrastructure, improve connectivity, strengthen energy security and generate employment opportunities across Odisha, particularly in tribal and rural regions.

Among the major projects for which foundation stones will be laid are the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, the Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station involving two 660 MW units, and the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district. These projects are expected to boost energy production, promote cleaner utilisation of domestic coal resources and create new industrial opportunities.

Other key projects include a 300 TPD source-segregated municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant in Bhubaneswar, a new bridge over the Kathajodi River connecting Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, widening and strengthening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga Road in Boudh district, four-laning of the NH-353 stretch from Nuapada to Ghatipada, the Kusumdihi Megalift Irrigation Project, an IGNOU Regional Centre and an Indoor Badminton Complex at Rairangpur.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate several completed projects, including the 300-bed District Headquarters Hospital building at Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands and nine Automated Testing Stations across different districts. Other notable projects to be inaugurated include the Nayagarh Town Bypass on NH-57, the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project, the Jakhapura–Jajpur Keonjhar Road–Baitarani Road Multi-Tracking Project, the Hindol Road–Meramandali Multi-Tracking Project, and the Sports Complex and Tribal Research Centre at Rairangpur.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda