Bhubaneswar: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-anticipated visit to Odisha on June 20, 2025, just around the corner, the Union Government, State Government, and Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are in a flurry of activity, finalizing a slew of mega projects for inauguration and foundation stone laying.
This visit is particularly significant as it coincides with the first anniversary celebrations of the First BJP Government in Odisha, making it a landmark event for the state’s development trajectory.
The visit, reportedly PM Shri Modi’s sixth to Odisha since the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government took office, underscores the Centre’s keen focus on the state’s progress and its commitment to the “Viksit Bharat” vision, with Odisha poised to play a crucial role as a “growth engine” in Eastern India.
While specific project details are being kept under wraps until the official announcement, sources indicate a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, industrial growth, and social welfare schemes.
A particularly notable highlight of the visit is the Khurda Road-Balangir railway project, which, after languishing for years, has seen significant acceleration due to the Prime Minister’s personal intervention and focused efforts.
It is highly anticipated that PM Modi will inaugurate a crucial section of this long-awaited railway line, making it accessible to the public and significantly improving connectivity between coastal and western Odisha.
Recent breakthroughs in tunnel construction, including the completion of all seven planned tunnels in the challenging Daspalla-Purunakatak stretch, signal the project’s nearing completion.
The projects are expected to span diverse sectors, including:
- Industrial Development: Following successful “Utkarsh Odisha” and “Make-in-Odisha” conclaves which have seen significant investment intents, the PM’s visit is likely to further bolster industrialization, particularly in emerging sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Recent months have seen the laying of foundation stones for projects worth thousands of crores in Ganjam, Jajpur, and Dhenkanal, indicating a robust pipeline of industrial initiatives.
- Connectivity and Logistics: Beyond the Khurda Road-Balangir railway, other road and railway projects are expected to feature prominently, enhancing intra-state and inter-state connectivity. Odisha’s strategic location with its ports is a major focus, and projects aimed at improving port-based industrial development and logistics are anticipated.
- Energy Sector: Given Odisha’s immense potential in coal and renewable energy, announcements related to power projects and green energy initiatives are highly probable.
- Urban Infrastructure: The state government has recently approved significant schemes like the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY) for urban transformation, and central support for such initiatives could be highlighted.
- Social Welfare: With the first anniversary of the state government, there could be inaugurations or announcements related to the expansion of welfare schemes, including those focused on women empowerment and skill development, aligning with the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative.
- NaMo Express Way: It has been planned to announce NaMo Express Way in Odisha.
The high-level coordination between the Union Government, State Government, and Central PSUs reflects a concerted effort to fast-track development projects and showcase the progress made in the past year.
Senior bureaucrats and technical teams are working round the clock to ensure all arrangements are in place for the grand event.
Prime Minister Shri Modi’s visit is not only a political milestone but also a testament to the collective resolve to accelerate Odisha’s development, fostering a new era of prosperity and creating significant employment opportunities for the state’s youth.
The announcements on June 20 are eagerly awaited as they are expected to lay down a clear roadmap for Odisha’s continued growth and its contribution to the nation’s progress.