Bhubaneswar: Development is the new identity of Odisha today, there is still much work to be done, asserted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Addressing the gathering during the inauguration and laying of foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 20,000 crore by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chandikhole in Jajpur district, Chief Minister Patnaik said that today Odisha is going to become a major manufacturing hub of eastern India.
Patnaik stated that today there has been significant transformation in Odisha in the field of infrastructure development both in social and physical infrastructure.
He pointed out that Odisha today is the top second State in the field of capital investment.
Mission Shakti women are coming forward to become entrepreneurs, he added.
The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his focus on the development of Odisha while expressing his happiness over the expansion of Chandikhol-Paradip NH and other NHs, the launching of a desalination plant, LPG terminal, gas pipeline, new trains and several other projects by the latter.
He sought the Prime Minister’s support in the endeavour of 4.5 crore people of Odisha.
Lauding the Prime Minister for setting a new direction for India, Patnaik said that the PM is taking India on an accelerated drive to make it an economic powerhouse.
“India is now the 5th largest economy marching forward to be the number 3 in a few years,” he said.
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to pay his tributes to the great statesman and visionary leader Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary.
“Biju Babu was a visionary leader. He had made a significant contribution to the country’s freedom struggle and the freedom struggle of foreign nations. He has worked all his life for the development of Odisha and the development of the Odia race,” said Patnaik.
He pointed out that in 1990, Biju Babu thought of making Kalinga Nagar an industrial hub.
“Today, Kalinga Nagar has become the steel hub of the country. Not only Odisha, the entire country is benefiting from it.”
