Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than ₹50,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Addressing a massive gathering, the Prime Minister underlined his government’s focus on empowering the poor, tribals and backward communities, while highlighting steps towards self-reliance in technology, industrial growth and social welfare.
Navratri greetings and people’s blessings
Opening his address, PM Modi extended Navratri greetings and expressed his joy at visiting the sacred land of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi. He said the presence of a large number of women at the rally was a source of strength, adding that “mothers and sisters’ blessings are the biggest inspiration for us.”
He recalled that during the Assembly elections a year and a half ago, the people of Odisha had pledged to move ahead with a new vision. “Today, Odisha is progressing rapidly under the double engine government at the Centre and in the State,” he said.
₹50,000 crore push for development
The Prime Minister formally inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects spanning infrastructure, telecom, education, skill development, housing, railways and industries. “These projects worth thousands of crores are not just for Odisha but for the entire nation,” he stated.
Among the major announcements were housing schemes for the poor, semiconductor units for Odisha, a massive shipbuilding package, railway connectivity projects, BSNL’s indigenous 4G services and modernization of education institutions under the new MERITE scheme.
BSNL’s indigenous 4G launch from Jharsuguda
In a landmark step, PM Modi unveiled BSNL’s completely indigenous 4G services, developed entirely in India. He said this placed India among the top five nations globally with fully indigenous telecom technology. Nearly one lakh BSNL towers have been installed, with the capacity to extend high-speed internet to remote, tribal and hilly regions.
“This is a proud day. India, which once lagged behind during the launch of 2G, 3G and 4G globally, now stands tall with its own technology,” Modi said. He added that the BSNL network was future-ready to deploy 5G services.
The launch coincided with BSNL’s 25th anniversary. The Prime Minister lauded its engineers and scientists for their perseverance, noting that India was advancing towards becoming a global telecom manufacturing hub.
Boost for education and skills
Stressing the importance of a skilled youth and robust research ecosystem, the Prime Minister launched the MERITE scheme, under which engineering colleges and polytechnics will be modernized with investments worth thousands of crores.
“This will end the compulsion for our youth to migrate to big cities for education. Modern labs, global skill training and startup incubation will now be available in Odisha itself,” Modi said. He also announced the expansion of IIT campuses and the strengthening of higher education infrastructure, reiterating that technical advancement was central to building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Housing and welfare for the poor and tribals
PM Modi distributed approval letters under the Antyodaya Griha Yojana, describing it as a transformational initiative. “When a poor family gets a pucca house, it changes their present and secures the future of their children,” he said.
He informed that under the new approvals, nearly 50,000 families in Odisha will get homes, while 40,000 tribal families have been sanctioned houses under the PM Janman Yojana. “Our government has already delivered more than four crore pucca houses across the nation and Odisha is moving rapidly on this path,” he added, while praising CM Mohan Majhi’s efforts.
Odisha’s role in semiconductor manufacturing
Calling it a game-changer, PM Modi announced that the Centre had approved two semiconductor units for Odisha, along with a semiconductor park.
केंद्र सरकार ने हाल में ही ओडिशा के लिए दो semiconductor unit की मंजूरी दी है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/V6fwEuaD6x
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 27, 2025
“From the chip in your phone to the chip in your car, refrigerator, or computer—very soon these chips will be made in Odisha,” he envisioned. The move, he said, would create thousands of jobs and empower the state’s youth to drive India’s self-reliance in high-tech manufacturing.
Shipbuilding package and industrial corridor
The Prime Minister announced a ₹70,000 crore shipbuilding package, expected to attract ₹4.5 lakh crore in investments across steel, electronics, machinery and small industries. “Shipbuilding is vital for trade, security, and technology. Indigenous ships ensure uninterrupted import-export even during global crises,” he said.
He further announced the development of a Paradip–Jharsuguda industrial corridor, which would emerge as a major industrial belt and generate millions of jobs for Odisha’s youth.
Railway and connectivity projects
The Prime Minister flagged off the Amrit Bharat train from Berhampur to Surat, which he said would be a lifeline for workers and traders. He noted that six Vande Bharat trains are already operational in Odisha, with nearly 60 railway stations under modernization.
He reminded the gathering that eight years ago, he had laid the foundation of the Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda, which is today connected to major cities and boosting western Odisha’s growth.
GST reforms: Relief for Ffmilies and farmers
PM Modi underlined that the new GST reforms effective from September 22, 2025, were designed to reduce household and farming expenses. He explained that an average family in Odisha, earlier spending ₹1 lakh annually on essentials, used to pay ₹20,000–₹25,000 in taxes. “Now the tax burden has come down to just ₹5,000–₹6,000, saving families ₹15,000–₹20,000 annually,” he said.
Farmers, too, were benefiting significantly. Modi cited examples—savings of ₹40,000 on tractors, ₹15,000 on paddy transplanters, ₹10,000 on power tillers and ₹25,000 on threshers. He said even GST on kendu leaves, a lifeline for tribal families, had been reduced. “This is double savings and double earnings for every family,” he stressed. He also accused opposition-ruled states of levying extra taxes, denying people the benefits of reforms.
Women’s health: ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’
Focusing on women’s welfare, PM Modi said his government had launched the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ campaign on September 17. So far, over eight lakh health camps have been organised and three crore women have been screened for diabetes, breast cancer, tuberculosis and sickle cell anemia.
“A healthy mother builds a strong family. This is why Ayushman Bharat provides free treatment up to ₹5 lakh, benefiting crores of women,” he said, urging women in Odisha to undergo screenings.
Odisha’s rising prosperity
The Prime Minister acknowledged Odisha’s long struggle with poverty but expressed confidence that the coming decade would bring prosperity. “Nature has blessed Odisha with abundant resources. With the energy of its youth, Odisha will soon emerge as a major industrial and technological hub,” he said.
He highlighted that Odisha is already gaining from higher mining revenues, six Vande Bharat trains and schemes like Subhadra Yojana, which empowers women with annual financial assistance. “Odisha is firmly on the path of progress. Under the double engine government, the pace of development will only accelerate further,” he affirmed. PM Modi concluded by reiterating his government’s mission to make India a developed nation by 2045. “Every sector, every community, every citizen is at the center of our efforts. Odisha will play a pivotal role in this journey,” he said, extending his best wishes to the people.
The event was attended by the Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Jual Oram, and several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers who joined virtually.
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