BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre was making a committed endeavour to turn Odisha into one of the most preferred destinations for investors in the country.
Attending the concluding function of ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ in New Delhi, the prime minister said his government has been continuously working for the past decade to take Odisha to new heights. The unprecedented support of the people of Odisha in 2024 elections has only provided a new momentum to this effort, he said.
“Our government has big dreams and ambitious goals. In 2036, Odisha will celebrate its centenary year of becoming a separate state. Our endeavour is to transform Odisha into one of the most powerful, prosperous and rapidly developing states in the country by the time,” he said.
The prime minister said investments worth Rs 45,000 crore have been approved by the Centre within the first 100 days of the BJP government in the state. He congratulated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his government for the efforts to develop Odisha.
“Today Odisha has its own vision as well as a roadmap, which would promote investment and create immense employment opportunities,” Modi said.
The prime minister said the state’s maritime potential can be leveraged to take it to new heights of development. The state’s strategic location makes it easily accessible to domestic and international markets, he said.
“The state has immense potential for port-based industrial development. To boost trade, the state plans to develop ports in Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, Palur, and Subarnarekha. As India’s mining and metal powerhouse, Odisha has a strong presence in the steel, aluminum and energy sectors. By focusing on these sectors, it can unlock new doors to prosperity,” Modi said.
Stating that the production of cashew, jute, cotton, turmeric and oilseeds was in abundance in Odisha, Modi said that the effort of the government is to ensure that these products reach the big markets and thereby benefit the farmers. As there is also a lot of scope for expansion in the seafood processing industry the effort is to make Odisha seafood a brand that has high demand in the global market, he said.
Modi also said his government was committed to build a large number of dynamic and well-connected cities and create new possibilities in the Tier-II cities of Odisha, especially in the western districts.
Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw were present.