President Murmu, PM Modi visit Mayurbhanj, offer prayers at tribal sacred groves

President and the Prime Minister offered prayers at the sacred grove, Santhali

Jahera and Ho Jahera, reflecting the cultural and spiritual traditions of the tribal communities. They also visited a Skill Centre and Pahadpur School, interacting with ongoing initiatives focused on education, capacity building and livelihood generation in rural and tribal areas.

The visit comes against the backdrop of a major development push in Odisha, where the Prime Minister also participated in a programme at Rairangpur marking the completion of two years of the State government. The theme of the programme was "Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara".

According to an official release, projects worth over Rs 47,600 crore were inaugurated, and foundation stones were laid across key sectors including energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, health, education, tourism and irrigation. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving connectivity, enhancing energy security and generating employment opportunities across Odisha.

Among the major projects are the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project and the expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station with two 660 MW units. The Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited project in Jharsuguda will also boost the cleaner use of domestic coal resources and reduce import dependence.

Other projects include a municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant in Bhubaneswar, a bridge over the Kathajodi river linking Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, multiple road and irrigation projects, as well as upgrades in health and transport infrastructure, including a 300-bedded district hospital in Boudh.

The programme also saw the inauguration of several infrastructure projects, including bypasses, multi-tracking railway works, sports facilities and tribal research centres, aimed at accelerating inclusive growth in the State, the release added. (ANI)