Daijiworld Media Network - Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda, Sep 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Jharsuguda, Odisha, on Saturday, launched and laid the foundation stone for a sweeping set of development projects worth Rs 60,000 crore, spanning critical sectors like telecom, railways, education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure. The occasion marked a significant push towards the government’s vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
Amid chants of “Modi-Modi,” the Prime Minister addressed a large gathering, extending Navratri greetings and thanking locals for their warm welcome and gifts, including handmade portraits. "I promise to write back," he said, in a personal note to the people of Odisha.
BSNL’s Swadeshi 4G Services Launched
PM Modi launched BSNL’s indigenous 4G services, marking a turning point for India's telecom sector. Over 92,600 green, solar-powered 4G towers were inaugurated, including 18,900 funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi, aimed at bringing connectivity to 26,700 remote villages, especially in border and Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas. The initiative is expected to serve more than 20 lac new subscribers.
“When 2G, 3G, 4G came, India lagged behind. Now we are building our own telecom technology. This is a proud moment,” PM Modi said.
Railway Boost: New Lines, Doubling, and Amrit Bharat Express
Several railway projects were inaugurated or launched, including:
• Rail flyover at Sambalpur–Sarla
• Doubling of the Koraput–Baiguda line
• Manabar–Koraput–Gorapur line
The Prime Minister also flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express from Berhampur to Udhna (Surat), providing a direct link between Odisha and Gujarat. He highlighted the emotional connection between the two states.
“There’s hardly a village in this region without someone living in Surat. This train is a gift for every Odia family with ties to Gujarat,” he said.
Education, Skill Development & Tech Initiatives
Modi highlighted the expansion of IITs and technology initiatives, emphasizing Odisha's role in India’s tech future. He announced:
• Approval of two semiconductor units for Odisha
• Plans for a semiconductor park in the state
• A larger goal of making India self-reliant in chip manufacturing
“From the smallest chip to the largest ships — India must become Atmanirbhar,” he declared.
Rural Housing & Welfare: Antyodaya Gruha Yojana
In a significant push for rural development, Modi distributed sanction letters to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, aimed at building pucca homes for the rural poor, especially widows, persons with disabilities, terminally ill patients, and disaster victims.
“A pucca house doesn’t just change a family’s present — it secures the future of generations. We’ve provided homes to 4 crore families nationwide,” he said.
He praised the Odisha government for actively collaborating in implementing central schemes and confirmed that construction of thousands more homes is underway.
A Vision for Industrial Growth
PM Modi underscored the Centre’s focus on creating an industrial corridor from Paradeep to Jharsuguda, which is expected to bring in massive investments and employment opportunities. He also announced a ?70,000 crore shipbuilding package, expected to attract Rs 4.5 lac crore in private investments.
“In times of conflict, shipbuilding ensures secure trade routes. That’s why we're investing heavily in this strategic sector,” he noted.
Odisha’s Decade of Transformation
Calling the current period a “decade of prosperity” for Odisha, PM Modi said the state, long mired in underdevelopment, is now accelerating under the double-engine government — a reference to BJP-led governance at both state and central levels.
“Odisha is blessed by nature but was held back for decades. That era is over. This decade belongs to Odisha,” he concluded.
With this multi-sectoral push, Jharsuguda’s event served not only as a launchpad for infrastructure growth but also as a broader message: India’s self-reliance begins in its villages, extends through its industries, and thrives on its people.