Bhubaneswar: As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Odisha will be the gateway of development in the East, while Bhubaneswar will be focal point of development in the state, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday.

At the inauguration of second entry gate of Bhubaneswar railway station, Mr Pradhan informed that the civil aviation ministry has submitted a proposal to Odisha government for allotment of land for a second airport in Bhubaneswar.

“PM Narendra Modi has special plans for expansion of national highways, better air connectivity, development of railways in Odisha and Bhubaneswar will be its focal point. There is a need to convert Bhubaneswar into an International City,” said Mr Pradhan.

He further stated that until efforts were taken to develop areas in Kakatpur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Tangi, Choudwar, new economic progress is Odisha cannot be achieved.