Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on a visit to Sambalpur town on February 3. The highlight of the visit includes the inauguration of the permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur and the groundbreaking ceremony for four thermal power plants with a total capacity of 5,570 megawatts.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Sambalpur is particularly significant as the western Odisha region is a stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), boasting five out of eight Lok Sabha members from the party. In Jharsuguda, Modi will unveil numerous projects and lay the foundation stones for new initiatives. A massive public gathering in Remed, expected to draw around 150,000 attendees, will also witness the Prime Minister’s address.
In the power sector, Modi is set to launch projects amounting to nearly Rs.29,000 crore. This includes laying the foundation stone for the National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Talcher-III Thermal Power Project (2×660 MW) and the inauguration of its Darlipali Super Thermal Power Project (2×800 MW). Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the first phase of Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Talabira Thermal Power Project (3×800 MW) and inaugurate railway line expansions and coal connectivity projects.
Notably, Modi will inaugurate the NSPCL (NTPC-SAIL Power Company Limited) Rourkela Power Plant-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW), ensuring a reliable power supply to the Rourkela Steel Plant.
The public gathering in Sambalpur is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to regain ground in western Odisha, where it faced setbacks in recent elections against the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The BJP is looking to make a strong comeback, especially in the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expected to be the party’s nominee.
With projects worth a whopping Rs. 69,000 crore, Prime Minister Modi’s visit promises a significant boost to the development and political landscape of Sambalpur. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking event!
