Industry Odisha Bureau, April 30: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be on a visit to Odisha on Friday.
During his visit, he will participate in a program being organised by the Ministry of Rural Development in Rayagada, where he will launch Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV which will extend a major developmental boost to the State, officials said on Thursday.
Under this initiative, 827 road projects covering a total length of 1,701.84 kilometres will be taken forward at a cost of Rs. 1,698.04 crore. The initiative will pave the way for 898 habitations to receive all-weather road connectivity for the first time, strengthening access to schools, hospitals, markets, and other essential services, while also accelerating socio-economic development. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be present at the programme.
The event, to be held at IACR Ground, Barijhola, Rayagada, is considered highly significant for the remote and rural regions of Odisha, as the new roads will improve accessibility to schools, hospitals, rural mandis, and other essential facilities.
In addition, the projects are expected to provide fresh momentum to local trade, employment opportunities, and socio-economic activities in the region.
As per the scheduled programme, the Union Minister will hand over the PMGSY-IV approval letter to Chief Minister Majhi, following which the projects will be inaugurated and foundation stones laid jointly by the two leaders.
Beneficiaries will also be felicitated on the occasion. The programme will be also attended by Odisha’s Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Rabi Narayan Naik, along with other public representatives and several senior officials from both the State and Central Governments.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event will reflect the strong shared commitment of the Centre and the State towards inclusive development.
Odisha has already recorded notable progress under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Under various components of PMGSY, a total of 17,963 roads covering 74,725 kilometres and 707 bridges have so far been sanctioned in the state, while 17,760 roads spanning 71,742 kilometres and 658 bridges have already been completed.
Thus, the May 1 programme will not merely mark a new approval, but will also serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the ongoing journey of rural development in the State, the officials said.
The initiative has been linked to the vision of a Viksit Bharat through improved connectivity, faster economic activity, and the empowerment of remote habitations.
