PM Modi Unveils ₹60,000 Crore Development Projects in Odisha, Boosts Telecom, Rail, and Education Sectors

Prime Minister Modi Launches Major Development Push in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, September 27, 2025, unveiled and laid the foundation stone for a comprehensive suite of development projects valued at over ₹60,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The extensive initiatives are set to significantly enhance the state's infrastructure across critical sectors, including telecommunications, railways, and higher education, alongside healthcare, skill development, and rural housing. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi were present at the event, which also saw virtual participation from Chief Ministers of eight states and several Union Ministers.

Advancing Digital Connectivity and Telecommunications

A cornerstone of the development package is the substantial boost to digital connectivity. Prime Minister Modi commissioned more than 97,500 4G mobile towers, constructed using Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's (BSNL) indigenous technology stack, at an estimated cost of approximately ₹37,000 crore. These towers are designed to connect 26,700 villages, particularly in remote, border, and Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas. Notably, these new telecom sites are solar-powered, marking them as India's largest cluster of green telecom infrastructure. The Prime Minister emphasized India's ambition to become a global hub for telecom technology, stating that the country would soon be among the top five nations with its own 4G and 5G networks.

Strengthening Railway Infrastructure

The railway sector received significant attention with the inauguration and foundation stone laying for several key projects. Prime Minister Modi flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express, establishing a new rail link between Odisha's Berhampur and Udhna in Surat, Gujarat. This new service is expected to boost connectivity, tourism, and trade across multiple states, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the doubling of the 34-km Koraput–Baiguda rail line and the 82-km Manabar–Koraput–Gorapur section, projects completed at a cost of ₹1,400 crore. A foundation stone was also laid for the Rail Flyover at Sambalpur–Sarla, aimed at improving freight and passenger movement.

Expanding Higher Education and Skill Development

In the realm of education, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for the expansion of eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country, including those in Tirupati, Palakkad, Bhilai, Jammu, Dharwad, Jodhpur, Patna, and Indore. This expansion is projected to create capacity for an additional 10,000 students over the next four years. Further initiatives include the launch of the MERITE scheme, designed to modernize 275 state engineering and polytechnic institutions, and the inauguration of Phase II of the Odisha Skill Development Project. This project encompasses new World Skill Centres in Sambalpur and Berhampur, upgrades to 30 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and a Precision Engineering Building for advanced training. To foster digital learning, free Wi-Fi facilities have been introduced across 130 higher education institutions in Odisha, benefiting over 2.5 lakh students.

Additional Sectoral Developments

Beyond the core areas, the development package also includes significant advancements in healthcare and other sectors. Plans were announced for the upgradation of MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambalpur into world-class super-speciality hospitals. The government also approved two semiconductor units and proposed a semiconductor park in Odisha, aligning with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) vision. Furthermore, sanction orders were distributed to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, a scheme aimed at providing rural housing.