Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore in Odisha, covering telecom, railways, healthcare, higher education, and skill development. A key highlight was the launch of BSNL’s indigenous 4G ‘Swadeshi network stack’, placing India among countries like Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China with homegrown telecom technology.
PM Modi emphasized that Odisha is “advancing at the speed of a double engine,” with rapid growth benefiting both the state and India as a whole.
Massive Expansion of 4G Connectivity
The launch included over 97,500 4G mobile towers, built at a cost of Rs 37,000 crore, including 92,600 new BSNL sites. Around 18,900 towers funded under Digital Bharat Nidhi will connect 26,700 unserved villages, many in remote and border areas. The solar-powered towers form India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites.
These towers span Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat, and Bihar, providing a significant boost to connectivity.
Semiconductor and Industrial Development
PM Modi also announced that the Centre has approved two semiconductor units in Odisha, supporting local industry and promoting self-reliance.
Railways Projects and Improved Connectivity
In the rail sector, foundation stones were laid for projects including the Sambalpur-Sarla rail flyover and the doubling of Koraput-Baiguda and Manabar-Koraput-Gorapur lines. Additionally, the Amrit Bharat Express was flagged off between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), enhancing affordable connectivity and tourism.
Healthcare and Education Upgrades
Healthcare initiatives include the upgrading of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) and VIMSAR (Sambalpur) into super-specialty hospitals, expanding trauma care, maternal and child health facilities, and introducing new dental colleges.
In education, eight IITs will be expanded, creating capacity for 10,000 new students over the next four years, alongside skill development programs tailored for Odisha’s youth.
Emphasis on Self-Reliance
Highlighting India’s commitment to self-reliance, PM Modi also spoke about a Rs 70,000 crore shipbuilding package, calling shipbuilding essential for trade, technology, national security, and economic strength. He noted that having domestic shipbuilding capacity ensures uninterrupted imports and exports during global crises.
