Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, the Odisha Cabinet expressed its congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reaching the milestone of 25 years in governmental leadership. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the central government’s developmental efforts and infrastructure investments within the state.
Modi, who previously served as the chief minister of Gujarat, marked his 25 years in public office on October 7, having transitioned to the role of Prime Minister in May 2014.
During a media briefing, Majhi noted that under Modi’s guidance, India’s progress has gained momentum, positioning Odisha at the forefront of the Centre’s Purvodaya vision for eastern India. He mentioned that since the BJP took power in the state, Modi has visited Odisha on eight different occasions.
Majhi highlighted the state’s advancements in infrastructure, reporting that Odisha has expanded its railway network by 2,236 km since 2014 and achieved full railway electrification. The Khurda Road-Balangir railway line is nearing its completion, and six Vande Bharat trains now serve 17 districts with 25 scheduled stops. Furthermore, 59 railway stations are undergoing redevelopment as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
The federal government has allocated Rs 8,308 crore for a 111-km, six-lane Capital Region Ring Road and approximately Rs 8,300 crore for the proposed greenfield Odisha Coastal Highway, he added.
Majhi also mentioned upcoming investments of Rs 21,500 crore for a deep-sea port at Bahuda mouth in Ganjam district and Rs 24,700 crore for a shipbuilding and repair cluster in Kendrapada district.
Various projects within the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip economic region, along with the expansion of the Paradip oil refinery and the development of the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region, are anticipated to enhance industrial growth in coastal Odisha.
He further pointed out developments such as the Jharsuguda airport, the establishment of IISER in Berhampur and IIM in Sambalpur, the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant, and investments in the electronics and semiconductor sectors.
Majhi asserted that the Centre’s developmental agenda aims to empower women, farmers, the underprivileged, and the youth, claiming that over 25 crore individuals have escaped multidimensional poverty during Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Additionally, the state has formulated Vision Odisha 2036 and Vision Odisha 2047 to align with the national objective of Viksit Bharat 2047.
