On 3 January 2024, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 68,000 crore in Sambalpur, Odisha. To begin with, he inaugurated the 412 km-long Dhamra–Angul Pipeline Section of the Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline Project (JHBDPL). This project, set up at Rs 2,450 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga initiative, will establish a crucial connection between Odisha and the National Gas Grid. Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the 692 km-long Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Section of the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline. This Rs 2,660 crore project is expected to enhance the availability of natural gas in states such as Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
To bolster the nation’s power generation capacity, the Prime Minister also dedicated several power projects with a combined value of approximately Rs 28,980 crore. These projects include the NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW) in the Sundargarh district of Odisha. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for the NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×660 MW) in the Angul district of Odisha. These power plants are poised to supply cost-effective electricity not only to Odisha but also to neighboring states.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi initiated the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Talabira Thermal Power Project. The mega project is expected to cost around Rs 27,000 crore. This state-of-the-art project is set to deliver a reliable, affordable, and continuous power supply, making a substantial contribution to India’s energy security and economic prosperity.
In the coal mining sector, the PM inaugurated coal infrastructure projects of Mahanadi Coalfields, including the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects – Bhubaneswari Phase-I in Talcher Coalfields, Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS), and the Ib Valley Washery. These projects, with a total cost of about Rs 2,145 crore, promise to enhance the quality and supply of dry fuel from Odisha.
In the realm of transportation, Prime Minister Modi dedicated a 50 km-long second track of the Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line Phase-1, which was built by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited at an investment of Rs 878 crore. This will boost the rail transportation capacity in the region.
Moreover, the Prime Minister inaugurated three National Highways road sector projects, collectively valued at about Rs 2,110 crore. These projects encompass the four-laning of the Rimuli-Koida Section of NH 215 (New NH No. 520), Biramitrapur-Brahmani Bypass end section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143), and Brahmani Bypass End-Rajamunda Section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143).
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi dedicated railway projects worth Rs 2,146 crore to the nation. These include the modernisation of the Sambalpur Railway Station, inspired by the Sailashree Palace, the Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Railway Line (168 km), and the Jhartarbha to Sonepur New Railway Line (21.7 km), which will enhance the rail network’s capacity in the region. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Puri-Sonepur-Puri Weekly Express, which will enhance rail connectivity for passengers in the region.
Lastly, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur and dedicated the Jharsuguda Head Post Office Heritage Building to the nation.
