Argus News - Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Rs 200 Cr Projects at NIT Rourkela

Rourkela, Dec 27: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, on Saturday, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 200 crore.

Pradhan was accorded a ceremonial welcome with traditional dance and music upon his arrival on the campus. He inaugurated the newly constructed indoor sports complex and interacted with students, even playing a game of badminton at the facility.

The Union minister also laid the foundation stone for a new Civil Engineering building, a guest house, and a 500-bed girls’ hostel. In addition, he inspected the under-construction Kendriya Vidyalaya within the NIT campus.

Addressing students and faculty, Pradhan said he felt “overwhelmed” after visiting the campus and remarked that the atmosphere made him feel like becoming a student once again. He said projects worth over Rs 200 crore had been inaugurated and launched during the visit.

NIT Rourkela, one of India’s premier technical institutions, currently ranks 13th among the country’s top 100 engineering institutes, he noted. Referring to key national milestones, Pradhan said Odisha would complete 100 years of its formation in 2036, while India would mark 100 years of Independence in 2047.

“We have two major targets ahead of us. By 2036, NIT Rourkela should be among the top five institutions in the country, and by 2047, it should earn a place among the world’s leading educational institutions,” he said.

Pradhan described Rourkela as more than just an industrial city, calling it a place deeply connected with people’s emotions and aspirations. He said NIT Rourkela and the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) were the twin growth engines of the region.

Referring to India’s economic trajectory, Pradhan said the country had already become the world’s fourth-largest economy and was poised to move to third place. He said Rourkela would play a significant role in this growth, with NIT providing leadership through innovation and research.

He highlighted that NIT Rourkela had introduced advanced disciplines such as artificial intelligence and robotics and that one of its startups had gained national recognition, securing defence sector orders worth Rs 100 crore.

“NIT should not be just a placement destination. Rourkela represents quality, emotion and aspiration,” he said, urging students to focus on job creation rather than only job-seeking and to contribute to wealth creation through technology and innovation.

Pradhan also spoke about the planned expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant. He said the Centre aimed to increase production capacity from around 5 million tonnes to 9.5 million tonnes, which would lead to investments of Rs 35,000 - Rs 40,000 crore and significantly boost employment and economic activity.

He said discussions with RSP authorities had been held on Friday, stressing that local concerns should be addressed through dialogue with society, but development should not be stalled. “People’s interests are paramount, but economic growth must continue with responsibility,” he said.

The Union minister expressed confidence that NIT Rourkela would emerge as a major hub of India’s knowledge-based economy in the coming years. “If Rourkela moves forward, Odisha will move forward. Rourkela is a mini Odisha and a mini India,” he said.

Pradhan also advocated environmentally conscious practices, suggesting that fruits be offered instead of flower bouquets at public events to reduce waste. He appealed to citizens to collectively take responsibility for keeping Rourkela clean and beautiful.

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The event was attended by Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak, Raghunathpali MLA Durga Charan Tanti, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, and other dignitaries.