PM Modi Inaugurated 60,000 Crore Budgeted Development Works in Odisha; Skill Development On Priority

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development works worth over Rs 60,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha today. These projects span across telecommunications, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development, rural housing sectors, among others.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister offered his respectful greetings to all the distinguished dignitaries present at the event. Highlighting that the festival of Navratri is currently being celebrated, Shri Modi expressed that during these auspicious days, he was fortunate to visit the sacred land of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi and meet the people gathered there. He noted the presence of a large number of mothers and sisters at the event, stating that their blessings are the true source of strength, offering his salutations to the people.

He announced the commencement of projects worth thousands of crores for the development of Odisha and the nation. He stated that the expansion of IITs across various states is also beginning today. Additionally, he highlighted the foundation stone laying and inauguration of several projects in Odisha related to education, skill development, and connectivity.

Emphasising that a skilled youth and a robust research ecosystem are essential for building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Shri Modi stated that this is a major priority for their government. He highlighted the unprecedented investment being made in education and skill development across the country, including Odisha. The Prime Minister announced that engineering colleges and polytechnics are being modernized, and launched a new scheme named MERITE to support this effort. Under this scheme, thousands of crores will be invested in technical education institutions. He remarked that this will eliminate the compulsion for youth to migrate to big cities for quality technical education. Instead, they will have access to modern labs, global skill training, and startup opportunities within their own towns.

At the event, the Prime Minister launched:

• Laid the foundation stones for the expansion of eight IITs—Tirupati, Palakkad, Bhilai, Jammu, Dharwad, Jodhpur, Patna, and Indore—at an investment of around Rs.11,000 crore. The expansion will create capacity for 10,000 new students over the next four years and will establish eight state-of-the-art research parks, thereby strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and providing a strong push to research and development.
• Launched the MERITE scheme designed to improve quality, equity, research, and innovation in 275 state engineering and polytechnic institutions across the country.

• Launched Odisha Skill Development Project Phase II which will establish World Skill Centres in Sambalpur and Berhampur, covering emerging sectors such as AgriTech, Renewable Energy, Retail, Marine, and Hospitality.

Further, five ITIs will be upgraded into Utkarsh ITIs, 25 ITIs will be developed as Centres of Excellence, and a new Precision Engineering Building will provide advanced technical training.

To enhance digital education in the state, Prime Minister dedicated Wi-Fi facilities across 130 higher education institutions, providing free daily data access to benefit more than 2.5 lakh students.