Rairangpur (Odisha), 20 June (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Odisha on Saturday for a one-day visit during which he will join President Droupadi Murmu in a series of official engagements, including the second anniversary celebrations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state and the launch of development projects worth more than ₹47,600 crore.

An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter carrying the Prime Minister from Kalaikunda Air Force Station in neighbouring West Bengal landed at the Pahadpur helipad in Mayurbhanj district on Saturday morning. He was received by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior dignitaries.

The visit began with the Prime Minister and the President travelling to Pahadpur village, where they are scheduled to offer prayers at the sacred Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera groves. The two leaders will also visit the Pahadpur School and a Skill Centre, highlighting initiatives aimed at strengthening education, skill development and socio-economic empowerment in tribal and rural communities.

Later in the day, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi will participate in a public programme at Rairangpur to commemorate the completion of two years of the BJP government in Odisha. The event, organised under the theme Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara, will include the inauguration and foundation stone laying of development projects valued at over ₹47,600 crore. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering.

The projects cover key sectors such as energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, healthcare, education, tourism and irrigation. They are expected to improve infrastructure, strengthen public services, enhance energy security and create employment opportunities across the state, with a special focus on tribal and rural regions.

Major projects for which foundation stones will be laid include the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, the Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station with two 660 MW units, and the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district. These initiatives are expected to boost Odisha's power generation capacity, promote cleaner utilisation of domestic coal and support industrial growth.

Several completed projects will also be inaugurated, including a 300-bed District Headquarters Hospital in Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands, nine Automated Testing Stations, the Nayagarh Town Bypass, railway multi-tracking projects, irrigation infrastructure and sports and tribal research facilities.

The joint presence of the President and the Prime Minister in Odisha marks a significant occasion for the state and reflects the Centre's continued emphasis on inclusive development, infrastructure expansion and the welfare of tribal communities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar