Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Odisha’s Jharsuguda district and inaugurated a historic package of development projects worth more than ₹60,000 crore. The occasion turned into a landmark day for the state as the Prime Minister flagged off the much-awaited Amrit Bharat Express, while also dedicating mega projects in railways, healthcare, higher education, skill development, rural housing, and telecom connectivity.
The event witnessed the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Union ministers, and several Chief Ministers from across the country who joined virtually. The PM was felicitated warmly by the state leadership, underlining the importance of this visit in shaping Odisha’s developmental journey.
Amrit Bharat Express: Affordable and Comfortable Rail Travel
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the flagging off of the Amrit Bharat Express connecting Berhampur in Odisha to Udhna in Surat, Gujarat. The train is designed to provide affordable, comfortable, and reliable connectivity across states.
The Amrit Bharat Express is expected to:
- Boost inter-state tourism by connecting important cultural and economic hubs.
- Create new employment opportunities by linking industrial regions.
- Strengthen trade and business corridors, especially between Odisha and Gujarat.
- Provide comfortable travel facilities for common citizens at economical ticket fares.
With its launch, the government has once again emphasized its commitment to making railways the backbone of India’s economic progress. The Amrit Bharat Express also symbolizes the vision of bringing world-class yet affordable transportation closer to the people.
Railways Projects: Connecting Odisha to the Nation
Along with the Amrit Bharat Express, PM Modi also laid the foundation stones for and dedicated several railway projects aimed at transforming regional connectivity. These included:
- The Rail Flyover at Sambalpur-Sarla, which will ease traffic congestion and support faster freight movement.
- The doubling of the Koraput-Baiguda line and the Manabar-Koraput-Gorapur line, which will enhance both passenger and goods transport efficiency.
These projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity within Odisha and also with neighboring states. Enhanced railway networks will strengthen local industries, mining, and agriculture sectors, further boosting economic growth in the region.
Mega Telecom Boost with 97,500 4G Towers
A major step towards Digital India was also unveiled as PM Modi commissioned more than 97,500 4G mobile towers. Built at a cost of nearly ₹37,000 crore, these towers use Swadeshi technology and are expected to revolutionize telecom connectivity across the nation.
- Over 92,600 towers were commissioned by BSNL, reflecting the government’s vision for self-reliant technology.
- Around 18,900 towers funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi will specifically serve 26,700 unconnected villages, many in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-affected regions.
- The towers are solar-powered, making this initiative India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites.
With this, India has taken a giant leap towards sustainable digital infrastructure, ensuring over 20 lakh new subscribers gain access to mobile connectivity.
Healthcare Transformation in Odisha
Healthcare received a massive boost during the Prime Minister’s visit. He laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambalpur into world-class super-speciality hospitals.
The upgraded medical institutions will include:
- Expanded bed capacity to meet growing demands.
- Advanced trauma care units for emergencies.
- New dental colleges and modern maternal & child care services.
- State-of-the-art academic infrastructure to nurture the next generation of doctors.
These measures are aimed at ensuring that Odisha becomes a hub of quality healthcare, providing citizens with top-class medical services without having to travel outside the state.
Boost to Higher Education and Skill Development
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the expansion of eight IITs across the country. This will create capacity for nearly 10,000 new students over the next four years, giving a strong push to India’s higher education ecosystem.
Additionally, multiple skill development projects were launched in collaboration with the Odisha Government. These initiatives will provide technical training and job-ready skills to the state’s youth, empowering them to contribute to industries like IT, manufacturing, telecom, and railways.
Strengthening Rural Housing: Antyodaya Gruha Yojana
In his address, PM Modi distributed sanction orders to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana.
This scheme provides:
- Pucca houses for vulnerable rural families.
- Financial assistance to widows, persons with disabilities, victims of natural disasters, and those suffering from critical illnesses.
By empowering marginalized communities, the initiative ensures inclusive development in rural India.
Subhadra Yojana: Women Empowerment in Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took the opportunity to thank the Prime Minister for the Subhadra Yojana, which has been a game changer in women empowerment.
He highlighted that:
- More than 1 crore women in Odisha have benefited from the scheme.
- Each beneficiary receives ₹10,000 annually, helping them achieve financial independence.
- The scheme has improved livelihood opportunities for women across the state.
The Chief Minister praised the Prime Minister for visiting Odisha seven times in recent years, underlining the government’s consistent focus on the state’s growth.
National Participation and Virtual Connect
The event was not limited to Odisha alone. Chief Ministers of eight states, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, joined the event virtually.
Several Union Cabinet ministers also participated online, making the launch of Amrit Bharat Express and associated projects a nationwide celebration of progress.
Read also: Bhubaneswar’s New City: Odisha’s Ambitious Step Inspired by Dholera Smart City
Conclusion: A New Era of Development with Amrit Bharat Express
The launch of Amrit Bharat Express along with multiple infrastructure, education, healthcare, telecom, and housing projects marks a historic day for Odisha and for India’s development journey.
- The Amrit Bharat Express has emerged as the symbol of affordable, comfortable, and modern travel for citizens.
- The ₹60,000 crore investment package strengthens Odisha’s position as a rapidly developing state.
- By addressing connectivity, healthcare, education, skill-building, and women empowerment, the projects reflect the government’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
With these initiatives, Odisha is poised to witness faster growth, improved living standards, and greater opportunities for its people, firmly aligning with India’s march towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
