Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of significant infrastructure and social welfare projects in Odisha on Tuesday. The Prime Minister unveiled various railway and national highway projects totaling over Rs 3,800 crore. 

During the event, Modi laid the foundation for railway projects valued at Rs 2,871 crore. Meanwhile, national highway projects worth Rs 1,000 crore were also launched at a ceremony held at Janata Maidan.

Have a look at the projects – 

  1. The Budhapank–Salegaon third and fourth Line Project’s 40.62 km long Dhenkanal–Sadashibapur–Hindol road railway section will cost Rs 540 crore. By expanding the capacity on this crucial industrial route, items will be transported more quickly and smoothly.
  2. The Bondamunda-Ranchi Doubling Project’s 12.5 km long Bangurkela-Nowgaon Railway Section will cost Rs 239 crore. The doubling of this line will greatly ease traffic and enhance connection between Jharkhand and Odisha.
  3. The Vizianagaram-Titilagarh third Line Project includes the 25.394 km long Lanjigarh Road-Ambadola-Doikallu Railway Section, which is estimated to have cost Rs 432 crore. By adding capacity to the Vizianagaram-Titilagarh route, this crucial segment will improve connection between western Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It is expected that improved connectivity will make it easier to transfer freight and enhance passenger traffic.
  4. The Rs 260 crore Koraput-Singapur Road Doubling Project, which spans 22.94 km and includes the Laxmipur Road, Singharam and Tikiri Railway Section. This project would facilitate the movement of goods from resource-rich areas to important markets by boosting the capacity of trains in southern Odisha.
  5. PM announced plans to build a 7 km long underpass that will connect Siju and Paradeep Coaching Yard. With this Rs 200 crore project, Paradeep Port will have easier and uninterrupted train movements.
  6. The 18.51 km long Paradeep-Badabandha third and fourth Line upgrade, which will cost Rs 300 crore, will improve access to Paradeep Port by increasing capacity for both freight and passenger traffic.
  7. The Rs 152 crore, 10.93 km long Doubling of MCRL Inner Corridor Phase-1 project will facilitate coal evacuation.
  8. By connecting the tribal-dominated areas of Jeypore and Nabarangpur, the 41.9 km long Jeypore-Nabarangpur New Line, estimated to cost Rs 748 crore, will promote economic growth and improve access to resources and markets. It is anticipated that the new line will significantly improve the region’s economic standing by fostering trade, employment and mobility.

Additionally, he also launched the Subhadra Yojana, a new initiative aimed at benefiting women in the state. The Subhadra Yojana is aimed to provide financial support to women between the ages of 21 and 60 years. Beneficiaries of the scheme will receive Rs 50,000 over a five-year period, starting from 2024-25 to 2028-29. 

Notedly, the payments of Rs 10,000 each year will be made in two installments directly into the bank accounts of the recipients. So far, the scheme has attracted the registration of 76 lakh women. During the programme, over Rs 1,250 crore was disbursed to more than 25 lakh women under the Subhadra Yojana.

(with PTI input)