Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha on Saturday, June 20, accompanied by President Droupadi Murmu, in a rare joint visit that will see the launch and foundation laying of development projects worth more than Rs 47,600 crore across the state.

Mayurbhanj set to host historic joint visit by President and Prime Minister

The President and the Prime Minister are scheduled to begin their visit at around 11:15 am in Pahadpur, the native village of President Murmu in Mayurbhanj district. During the visit, they will offer prayers at the sacred tribal groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera, besides visiting a skill development centre and the local school.

The visit is expected to highlight efforts aimed at improving education, skill development and socio-economic empowerment in tribal and rural areas.

Later in the day, at around 1 pm, the President and the Prime Minister will attend a public programme at Rairangpur to mark the completion of two years of the Odisha government. The event, themed “Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara”, will feature the inauguration and foundation stone laying of a wide range of projects spanning energy, transport, health, education, tourism, irrigation and industrial infrastructure.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi is expected to outline the Centre's vision for Odisha's continued growth and development.

Major Energy, Transport and Irrigation projects to get a boost

Among the major projects for which foundation stones will be laid are the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, the Stage-II expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station comprising two 660 MW units, and the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district.

The Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for several key infrastructure projects, including a 300 TPD Municipal Solid Waste-based Compressed Biogas Plant in Bhubaneswar, a new bridge over the Kathajodi River connecting Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, the widening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga Road in Boudh district, and the four-laning of a section of NH-353 from Nuapada to Ghatipada.

In the irrigation and education sectors, projects such as the Kusumdihi Megalift Irrigation Project, an IGNOU Regional Centre at Rairangpur, and an Indoor Badminton Complex will also be launched.

Several completed projects will be inaugurated during the programme, including a 300-bed District Headquarters Hospital in Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands, and nine Automated Testing Stations across Odisha. Other projects to be inaugurated include the Nayagarh Town Bypass on NH-57, the underground pipeline component of the Kusumi Smart Irrigation Project, the Jakhapura–Jajpur Keonjhar Road–Baitarani Road Multi-Tracking Project, the Hindol Road–Meramandali Multi-Tracking Project, a Sports Complex, and a Tribal Research Centre at Rairangpur.

Officials said the projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve connectivity, enhance energy security and create employment opportunities across the state, particularly in tribal and rural regions.

The high-profile visit is being seen as a major development push for Odisha, with a special focus on inclusive growth and regional development.