Government focusing on increasing connectivity: PM

Bhubaneswar, Jan 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the central government is giving importance on increasing connectivity across the country, as he launched projects worth over Rs 4,500 crore in Odisha's Baripada district.

"Today we are at that stage of the 21st century when there is a lot of work to be done on connectivity. That's why our government is constantly focusing on increasing connectivity across the country," said the Prime Minister.

He said his government wanted to build a new India.

The Prime Minister earlier launched a slew of projects worth over Rs 4,500 crore in Baripada. This is the second visit of Modi to Odisha in less than a fortnight.

The Prime Minister dedicated the Balasore-Haldia-Durgapur section of Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur LPG Pipeline of Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) and the Balasore multi modal logistic park.

He also inaugurated doubling of Naranpur-Basantpur and Chillikidara-Sagadapata line that will connect mineral-rich Keonjhar and Jajpur districts.

The Prime Minister flagged off the second passenger train from Tatanagar to Badampahar.

Modi laid the foundation stone for four laning of 43.2 km Rimuli-Koida section of NH-215, 104.2 km Singara-Binjabahal section of NH-6 and 53.2 km Koida-Rajmunda section of NH-215.

He inaugurated passport Sewa Kendras at Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jajpur, Aska, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal.

He also inaugurated the conservation and restoration works for Rasikaray temple and the excavated structure at the ancient Haripurgarh fort.