PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new IIT-Bhubaneswar campus, flags off projects worth Rs 14,500 crore in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated a new campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bhubaneswar. While inaugurating the Rs 1,260 crore campus, he said that this will not only be a centre of dreams for the youth of Odisha but will also provide employment opportunities.

During his visit to the state, he also launched projects worth over Rs 14,500 crore in Odisha. He also said that the central government is fully committed to the overall development of Odisha. 

"Starting from infrastructure to development of the Odisha people -- all steps are being taken. I assure you that this work will continue," said the Prime Minister. He appealed to the people to move ahead together and make efforts for the state`s development.

The projects which were launched are related to higher education, health, road and highways and culture. He inaugurated a 100-bed upgraded ward of the ESI Hospital in Bhubaneswar costing Rs 73.5 crore. He also inaugurated an archaeological museum at Lalitgiri, which provides evidence of the 2000-year-old early Buddhist settlements in the region.

The Prime Minister said the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojna is moving fast towards providing gas through a pipeline in eastern India as he laid the foundation of the Paradip-Hyderabad Pipeline Project (PHPL) by the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the Bokaro-Angul section pipeline project (Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga) by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL).

He also released a commemorative coin and a postage stamp in memory of Paika Rebellion. This year marks the 200th anniversary the 1817 Rebellion led by Buxi Jagabandhu of Khorda district against the British. "Besides honouring the heroes of Paika, the government is working to show the rich spiritual heritage of Odisha to the world," said the Prime Minister.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan were also present on the occasion.

Patnaik reiterated the demand to declare the Paika Rebellion against the British Raj in 1817 as the first freedom movement of the country and to run a new train for Odisha in honour of Buxi Jagabandhu.