Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 50,000 crore across key sectors, including telecommunications, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development and rural housing.

In a major push to strengthen the country’s communication infrastructure, the Prime Minister commissioned more than 97,500 4G BSNL mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore using indigenous technology. The initiative will provide connectivity to over 26,700 unconnected villages, including those in remote, border and left-wing extremism-affected areas.

Expanding India’s higher education network, Modi laid the foundation stones for the expansion of eight IITs, which will create capacity for 10,000 new students over the next four years. He also launched a series of initiatives of the Odisha government aimed at strengthening technical education and skill development.

As part of his outreach to vulnerable sections of society, the Prime Minister distributed sanction orders to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana. The scheme provides pucca houses and financial support to rural families in need, including persons with disabilities, widows, individuals suffering from terminal illnesses, and victims of natural calamities.

Further boosting connectivity, Modi flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur in Odisha and Udhna in Surat, Gujarat. The service is expected to provide affordable and comfortable travel across states, enhance tourism, create employment opportunities, and link key economic districts.

The Prime Minister said the projects would accelerate growth across multiple sectors while creating opportunities for millions of citizens, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to inclusive development.