Sambalpur (Odisha): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur in Odisha.

Modi also took a walkthrough of the IIM Sambalpur model and a photo exhibition showcased on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said that to make Odisha a hub of education, and skill development, continuous efforts have been put in by the Central government.

The fate of Odisha’s youth has changed with the setting up of modern educational institutes like IISER Berhampur and Bhubaneshwar’s Institute of Chemical Technology in the last decade.

“Now, with the establishment of IIM Sambalpur as a modern institute of management, the state’s role is being further strengthened,” Modi said.

He recalled laying the foundation stone of IIM (Indian Institute of Management) during the pandemic and praised those associated with its completion amidst all the obstacles.

“The goal of a Viksit Bharat can only be achieved if all the states are developed,” PM Modi remarked, as he mentioned lending maximum support to Odisha in every sector.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 68,000 crore in Sambalpur, Odisha aimed at boosting the energy sector involving natural gas, coal, and power generation apart from important projects of road, railway and higher education sector.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a significant occasion for the development journey of Odisha as development projects worth approximately Rs 70,000 crores are launched today in the sectors of education, railway, roads, electricity and petroleum.

PM Modi underlined that the people of Odisha belonging to the poor section, labourers, working class, business owners and farmers among all other sections of society will reap the benefits of today’s development projects.

He further added that it will also create thousands of new employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha.

Highlighting the efforts of the Central government in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister said Odisha’s petroleum and petrochemicals sector witnessed investments worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crores, the state’s railway budget got a boost of more than 12 times, the construction of 50,000 km of roads in Odisha’s rural areas under PM Gram Sadak Yojna and 4,000 km of National Highways.

Referring to today’s inauguration of three National Highways projects, the Prime Minister informed that interstate connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand would reduce along with traveling distance.

Noting that the region is known for its potential in mining, power, and steel industries, PM Modi said that new connectivity will create possibilities for new industries in the entire region, thereby creating thousands of new employment opportunities.

He also touched upon the doubling of the Sambalpur-Talcher rail section and the inauguration of the new rail line from Jhar-Tarbha to the Sonpur section.

“Subarnapur district will also connect through Puri-Sonpur Express making it easier for devotees to perform darshan of Lord Jagannath,” he said.

Modi mentioned that the supercritical and ultra-supercritical thermal plants inaugurated today will ensure adequate and affordable electricity for every family in Odisha.

“Odisha has greatly benefited from the policies made by the Central Government in the last 10 years,” the Prime Minister said, as he mentioned that Odisha's income has increased 10 times after the change in mining policy.

Pointing out that the earlier policy where benefits of mineral production were not available to those areas and states where mining took place, the Prime Minister asserted that the issue was addressed with the formation of the District Mineral Foundation which ensured investments in the development of the same area from income received through mining.

“Odisha has so far received more than Rs 25,000 crores and the money is being used for the welfare of the people in the area where mining is taking place,” he stated.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister assured the people of Odisha that the Central government will continue to work for the development of the state with the same dedicated spirit.