Modi, President Murmu in Mayurbhanj for Odisha govt's 2-year event
Synopsis
For the first time in recent memory, both the President and the Prime Minister are visiting the same state on the same day — and it is Odisha. The ₹47,600 crore project blitz at Rairangpur, timed to the BJP government's two-year mark, signals that Odisha has become a serious political and developmental priority for New Delhi.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu will jointly visit Mayurbhanj, Odisha on 21 June 2025 .
The event at Rairangpur marks two years of the BJP government in Odisha, themed 'Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara' .
Projects worth over ₹47,600 crore across energy, roads, health, education, and irrigation will be inaugurated or foundation-stoned.
Key projects include the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project and Stage-II expansion of IB Thermal Power Station (2 x 660 MW).
A 300-bed hospital at Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands , and 9 Automated Testing Stations will be formally inaugurated.
President Murmu will also visit Pahadpur , her in-laws' village, and offer prayers at tribal sacred groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha on Saturday, 21 June 2025, to attend a landmark event at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, commemorating two years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. He will be joined by President Droupadi Murmu, making it a rare occasion where both the country's top constitutional functionaries are present together in a single state.
A Rare Joint Visit
President Murmu, who hails from Mayurbhanj, is scheduled to arrive in her native district on Friday evening as part of a two-day visit to Odisha. At around 11:15 am, both dignitaries will travel to Pahadpur — the President's in-laws' village in Mayurbhanj — where they will offer prayers at the sacred tribal groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera. They will also visit the local Skill Centre and Pahadpur School, spotlighting the Centre's focus on education and socio-economic empowerment in tribal and rural regions.
₹47,600 Crore in Projects
At around 1 pm, the President and Prime Minister will participate in the main programme at Rairangpur, themed 'Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara' (Development's Flow, Across Odisha). According to official sources, inaugurations and foundation-stone layings for developmental projects worth over ₹47,600 crore will take place, spanning energy, industrial infrastructure, road connectivity, drinking water, health, education, tourism, and irrigation.
Among the major projects for which foundation stones will be laid are the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project and the Stage-II Expansion of the IB Thermal Power Station, comprising two units of 660 MW each. A 300 TPD source-segregated Municipal Solid Waste-based Compressed Biogas Plant at Bhubaneswar is also on the list, alongside a bridge over the Kathajodi river providing a direct link between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Additional projects include the widening of the Dhalpur-Harbhanga Road in Boudh district, four-laning of a section of NH-353 from Nuapada to Ghatipada, the Kusumdihi Megalift Irrigation Project, an IGNOU Regional Centre, and an Indoor Badminton Complex at Rairangpur.
Healthcare and Transport Inaugurations
Projects to be formally inaugurated include the 300-bed District Headquarters Hospital at Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands, and nine Automated Testing Stations across various districts of Odisha. These are expected to strengthen healthcare access and public transport infrastructure across the state.
Security and Significance
The Odisha Police have deployed extensive security arrangements across Mayurbhanj district, particularly in and around Rairangpur, in view of the twin VVIP visits. Prime Minister Modi is also set to address a large public gathering at Rairangpur during the event. This joint presence of the President and Prime Minister is expected to place Odisha in the national spotlight, reflecting the state's growing political and developmental prominence. The projects are collectively aimed at accelerating growth in tribal and rural regions and extending infrastructure benefits to every corner of Odisha.
Point of View
And it works. Odisha, long treated as a peripheral state in national politics, has become a BJP stronghold worth showcasing, especially with tribal outreach at its centre. The ₹47,600 crore project slate is substantial, but the real question is execution: Odisha's infrastructure gap in its tribal districts remains wide, and foundation stones are not the same as commissioned assets. The BJP's two-year anniversary framing also sets a benchmark it will be held to in the next election cycle.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are both PM Modi and President Murmu visiting Odisha on the same day?
They are attending an event at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj marking two years of the BJP government in Odisha. President Murmu, who hails from Mayurbhanj, is also visiting Pahadpur — her in-laws' village — making the joint appearance both political and personal.
What projects will be inaugurated during the Rairangpur event?
Projects worth over ₹47,600 crore will be inaugurated or receive foundation stones, including the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project, a 300-bed hospital at Boudh, 24 Atal Bus Stands, and a bridge linking Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Sectors covered include energy, roads, health, education, and irrigation.
What is the theme of the Odisha government's two-year celebration?
The theme is 'Vikas ra Dhara, Odisha Sara', which translates broadly to 'Development's Flow, Across Odisha'. The programme is designed to highlight infrastructure and socio-economic progress across the state.
What is the significance of the visit to Pahadpur village?
Pahadpur in Mayurbhanj is the village of President Droupadi Murmu's in-laws. Both the President and Prime Minister will offer prayers at the tribal sacred groves Santhali Jahera and Ho Jahera there, and visit the local Skill Centre and school — underscoring the government's tribal outreach agenda.
What security arrangements have been made for the visit?
The Odisha Police have deployed extensive security across Mayurbhanj district, with particular focus on Rairangpur, in view of the simultaneous presence of the President and Prime Minister. President Murmu arrived in Mayurbhanj on Friday evening ahead of the Saturday programme.
