Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to Rourkela after assuming office dedicated an expanded unit of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) which was completed with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore. After the operational of RSP expanded units, the plant will augment its hot metal capacity from 2 MTPA to 4.5 MTPA. Besides inaugurating the modernised units, the PM also visited various units of the plant.
Earlier at about10.30am, while the PM landed at Rourkela Air Strip, he was received by Governor Dr SC Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the officials of the district administration and SAIl. Immediately his carcade ran towards the Rourkela Steel Plant. Commissioning the expanded unit of the RSP, the PM along with other dignitaries came back to the Air Strip field for addressing a huge gathering.
In his speech Modi said only development of western India is not a symbol of country's growth. "The country will progress only when all the States will progress, specifically the eastern States. If work is done with honesty then a radical change may come and that is proved in the last ten months as the government's record has been unblemished."
Recalling his last visit to the steel city on April 4, 2014 for election campaign, Modi said he is not a politician rather a servant of the public. Not forgetting the commitments made during election campaign, he announced upgradation of Ispat General Hospital (IGH) to a Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital and early construction of a second Brahmani bridge.
Regarding strengthening the nation, he said if the youths get jobs then the country will prosper. Modi said now the world is eyeing to invest in India. Praising the contribution of RSP, the PM said the plant has biggest contribution to the national security and defence. Also, he assured for further expansion of the RSP in the coming days.
Regarding coal block auction, he said so far over Rs 2 lakh crore revenue has been generated from twenty blocks and the money will be spent in the coal mines States, including Odisha. The PM also assured people all sorts of support for successful celebration of Nabakalevar. Earlier, Modi garlanded photos of several legendaries of Odisha on the occasion of the Utkal Divas. He also expressed his indebtedness to Naveen Patnaik and his party in the floor of Parliament a few days ago. Speaking on the occasion, CM Patnaik thanked PM Modi for visiting the steel city on the historic day of the State. He reiterated the contribution of the RSP to the State exchequer and employment to youths. He said all efforts are made for excellent development of the steel city because the city is known as a centre of knowledge and steel.
He also recalled the contribution of legendary Biju Patnaik to the city. Earlier, Patnaik inaugurated the Ahaar scheme at Rourkela. Among others, Jual Oram and Narendra Singh Tomar spoke. The PM was accompanied by the Governor, CM, Union Steel Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Steel Minister (State) Vishnu Dev Sai, State Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick, SAIl Chairman CS Verma and other officials of the Steel Ministry, SAIl and RSP.
For security arrangement, 35 platoons of police force, along with 15 DSPs, 30 Inspectors, 100 Sub Inspectors and ASIs were deployed in the city. Besides, a team from the Special Protection Group (SPG) led by DIG P Darji lahatoo and two Assistant Inspectors Generals had taken charge of the security of the inner circle of the PM's meeting venue at Rourkela Air Strip Ground while Odisha police, DVF, CRPF and CISF were looking after the outer circle.
Director (Intelligence) Sunil Roy and Additional Director General (law and Order) Binayanand Jha, along with RK Sharma, Inspector General of Police (Western Range), Rourkela, Superintendent of Police Anirudh Singh and Sundargarh Superintendent of Police R Prakash were monitoring security arrangements.