The prime minister is on a visit to Odisha and inaugurated these projects in Sambalpur. Among the sectors being developed are higher education and petroleum as well. An IIM, the foundation state of which was laid by him during the pandemic, has been completed. Modi described this as a significant occasion and maintained these projects will benefit the poor, working class as well as business owners and farmers, and create new employment avenues for the youth.
The Centre is making continuous efforts to make Odisha a hub of education and skill development, he said, adding that the fate of Odisha’s youth has changed with the setting up of modern educational institutes like IISER Berhampur and Bhubaneshwar’s Institute of Chemical Technology in the last decade.
“Now, with the establishment of IIM Sambalpur as a modern institute of management, the state’s role is being further strengthened,” he said. He recalled that work on the IIM began during the pandemic.
“The goal of a Viksit Bharat can only be achieved if all the states are developed,” the prime minister said, and claimed the Centre has extended maximum support to Odisha in every sector.
Modi highlighted the efforts of the central government in the last 10 years. In the petroleum and petrochemicals sector, Odisha has seen investments worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore while the state’s railway budget has been increased by 12 times. Other projects include construction of 50,000 km of roads in Odisha’s rural areas under PM Gram Sadak Yojna and 4,000 km of National Highways.Referring to today’s inauguration of three National Highways projects, the Prime Minister said interstate connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand would be reduced along with traveling distance.Noting that the region is known for its potential in mining, power and steel industries, Modi said that new connectivity will create possibilities for new industries in the entire region, thereby creating thousands of new employment opportunities.
The prime minister referred to the formation of the District Mineral Foundation which ensured investments in the development of the same area from income received through mining. “Odisha has so far received more than Rs 25,000 crore and the money is being used for the welfare of the people in the area where mining is taking place,” he said.
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