Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for over Rs 18,600 crore in development projects across Odisha, spanning drinking water, rural infrastructure, irrigation, highways, health, and agriculture. At a state-level event in Bhubaneswar marking the first anniversary of Odisha’s BJP-led government, Modi declared the occasion a celebration not of political power but of public service and good governance. He congratulated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the people of Odisha, calling the state a “shining star” of Indian heritage and a vital force in India’s progress.
Rejecting an invitation to visit the US after the G7 Summit, Modi said he chose instead to be present in the sacred land of Jagannath. He praised the opening of all four temple gates and the Ratna Bhandar, calling it an act of reverence and not political symbolism. Modi emphasized the improved delivery of health benefits through the Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu schemes, providing free treatment to nearly 30 million citizens, including workers outside the state. He also noted enhanced support for farmers through dual central and state benefits, and expanded procurement of paddy at higher prices.
Modi highlighted transformative efforts to uplift tribal communities long neglected by previous regimes. He said that regions once dismissed as part of the “Red Corridor” have seen Naxalite influence reduced to fewer than 20 districts. He cited the launch of two major schemes—Dharati Aaba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and PM Janman Yojana—targeted specifically at tribal welfare, with combined investment exceeding Rs 1 trillion. These include rural infrastructure, tribal schools, and services for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
The Prime Minister called Eastern India the engine of 21st-century growth, noting massive investments in industrial and petrochemical infrastructure across Odisha. He announced Rs 25,000 crore for the coastal economy and cited Rs 1.5 trillion already invested in the state’s petroleum and petrochemical sector. He also released Odisha’s Vision 2036 and commended its long-term roadmap toward inclusive growth.
The event also marked Odisha’s rail connectivity expansion with the inauguration of new train services to Boudh, the rollout of 100 electric buses, and the launch of the Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana to preserve cultural heritage. Modi concluded by affirming his government’s long-range commitment to Odisha’s rise, grounded in public trust and developmental clarity.
