President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday jointly unveiled development projects worth more than Rs 47,600 crore in Odisha. The announcement was made during the celebration of the second anniversary of the BJP government in the state. The projects cover several sectors, including energy, industrial infrastructure, roads, drinking water, health, education, tourism and irrigation.

According to an official statement, “The initiatives are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving connectivity, enhancing energy security and creating employment opportunities across the state.”

Among the major projects for which foundation stones were laid was the 600-MW Upper Indravati pumped storage project. The leaders also laid the foundation stone for the Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station, which includes two units of 660 MW each. Another key project launched was the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district. These projects are expected to strengthen Odisha’s energy sector and support industrial growth.

Several other important infrastructure projects were also announced. These include a 300-tonne-per-day municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant in Bhubaneswar and a bridge over the Kathajodi River connecting Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The widening and strengthening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga road in Boudh district and the four-laning of the Naupada-Ghatipada section of National Highway-353 were also part of the development package.

The government also launched the Kusumdihi mega lift irrigation project to improve irrigation facilities in the region. In the education and sports sectors, foundation stones were laid for an IGNOU regional centre and an indoor badminton complex at Rairangpur. These projects are expected to improve educational opportunities and sports infrastructure in the state.

The President and Prime Minister also dedicated two railway multi-tracking projects to the nation. Together, these projects have been completed at a cost of more than Rs 732 crore to improve railway operations and freight movement across Odisha.

One of the railway projects is the 19-km Jakhapura-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Baitarani Road multi-tracking project. Built at a cost of Rs 323 crore, it forms part of the larger Bhadrak-Nergundi multi-tracking project. The project is expected to reduce congestion on the heavily used Howrah-Chennai main line and improve both passenger and freight transportation.

The second railway project is the 27-km Hindol Road-Meramandali multi-tracking project. Developed at a cost of Rs 409 crore, it is a part of the Budhapank-Salegaon multi-tracking project. The project is expected to increase train handling capacity and ensure smoother transportation of coal, steel, power-sector inputs and other industrial goods.

Apart from these projects, the leaders inaugurated a number of public welfare and infrastructure facilities across the state. These include a new 300-bed district headquarters hospital building at Boudh, which is expected to strengthen healthcare services in the region. They also inaugurated 24 Atal bus stands and nine automated testing stations located in different districts.

Other projects inaugurated during the event include the Nayagarh town bypass on National Highway-57 and the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project. A sports complex and a tribal research centre at Rairangpur were also inaugurated. These initiatives are expected to support regional development, improve public services and create better opportunities for local communities.

The large-scale investment reflects the government’s focus on infrastructure expansion and economic development in Odisha. The projects are expected to improve connectivity, strengthen essential services and generate employment opportunities across different sectors. With investments spread across energy, transport, healthcare, education and irrigation, the initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to the state’s long-term growth and development.