In a major leap toward robust infrastructure and sustainable development, the Odisha government has signed a tripartite agreement for the state’s first-ever desalination plant at Gopalpur.
The Rs 1,000-crore project, spearheaded through a collaboration between IDCO, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the State PPP Cell, marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s adoption of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The agreement was formalised during the 66th Meeting of the Empowered Committee on Infrastructure for PPP Projects, held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
Emphasising the importance of the PPP route for the state’s future, Chief Secretary Garg highlighted the ongoing collaboration with the IFC to build a robust pipeline of actionable projects. These initiatives will span diverse sectors, including urban affordable housing and industrial infrastructure, with a strong focus on generating large-scale social impact.
The committee granted in-principle approval to a total of 11 projects identified in collaboration with the IFC, carrying an aggregate cost of approximately Rs 15,498 crore. Furthermore, five new independent projects worth Rs 831.68 crore were also approved, bringing the total value of newly cleared infrastructure initiatives to over Rs 16,329 crore.
Alongside new approvals, the committee reviewed the progress of 28 ongoing PPP projects, which have a combined project cost of Rs 28,764.28 crore.
Reaffirming the global financial institution’s commitment to the state, Kamal Dorabawila, Manager of PPP Transaction Advisory Services (South Asia) at IFC, stated that the entire IFC team is intently focused on positioning Odisha as a strategic hub for globally competitive investment opportunities.
The Gopalpur desalination project is expected to set a benchmark for future water security and industrial infrastructure projects in the region, solidifying Odisha’s reputation as a proactive and investment-friendly state.
