Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹3000 crore in Odisha. This included railway projects, an EV bus service, and the announcement of 'Odisha Vision 2047'. Stringent security arrangements were in place.
PM Modi Odisha Visit: A grand ceremony was held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, the capital city, to mark the completion of one year of the BJP government in Odisha. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the state with development projects worth over ₹3000 crore. Several important railway and e-mobility related schemes were inaugurated and foundation stones laid at this ceremony.
Inauguration of Railway Projects
During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated railway projects worth ₹2700 crore. This includes the 73-kilometer-long Sonpur-Old Cuttack new railway line, constructed at a cost of ₹1376 crore. This railway line is part of the Khurda Road-Balangir railway line and will connect the Boudh district headquarters to the railway network for the first time.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for the third and fourth lines on the Sarala-Shashan rail section. He also flagged off two new trains – the Boudh-New Bhubaneswar-Boudh weekly express and the Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur weekly express. These services will make travel easier and more convenient for the people of Odisha.
Launch of EV Bus Depot and Bus Service
The Prime Minister inaugurated an Electric Vehicle (EV) bus depot built at a cost of ₹50 crore in Naraj. He also flagged off 100 new EV buses. This initiative aims to make the state more environmentally conscious and move towards sustainable development.
Release of Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 Booklet
Prime Minister Modi released the booklet titled 'Odisha Vision – 2036 and 2047' at the event. This document outlines a blueprint for the long-term development of the state. He presented a roadmap for making Odisha a developed state by 2036 and explained how the BJP government is fulfilling its election promises.
Tight Security Arrangements
Special security arrangements were made in Bhubaneswar, the capital city, in view of the Prime Minister's visit. 33 platoons of police personnel and over 500 police officers were deployed along the entire route from Biju Patnaik Airport to Janata Maidan. The Commissionerate Police issued special guidelines regarding traffic to ensure that people did not face any inconvenience.
Chief Minister Reviews Preparations
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi himself visited Janata Maidan to review the preparations for the event. He instructed the officials to remain vigilant and ensured that there were no lapses in the Prime Minister's program.
Complete Schedule of the Prime Minister's Visit
Prime Minister Modi arrived at Biju Patnaik Airport at 3:40 PM. From there, he participated in the Tiranga Yatra and roadshow at 3:45 PM and reached the Janata Maidan event venue at 4:15 PM. After the event, he left for Delhi at 5:50 PM by a special aircraft.
New Train Services: Schedule and Routes
The Boudh-New Bhubaneswar-Boudh weekly express will depart from Boudh every Monday at 7:00 AM and reach New Bhubaneswar at 6:15 PM. The return journey will depart from New Bhubaneswar at 11:00 PM on Monday and reach Boudh at 10:30 AM on Tuesday.
The Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur weekly express will depart from Sambalpur at 7:25 PM on Sunday and reach Boudh at 11:55 PM the same night. The return journey will start from Boudh at 12:15 PM and reach Sambalpur at 7:30 PM. In addition, the Bhubaneswar-Sonpur-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express and two pairs of Balangir-Sonpur shuttle trains will now run up to Old Cuttack.
