In a decisive step that promises to reshape Odisha’s tourism landscape, the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Monday approved the ambitious “Land Bank for Hospitality Infrastructure” scheme under the Department of Tourism.
The scheme directly tackles the single biggest hurdle that has held back large-scale tourism projects for years — the lack of readily available, contiguous, encroachment-free and investment-ready land. By creating a dedicated Tourism Land Bank, the government is rolling out the red carpet for private investors in hotels, resorts, convention centres, eco-tourism lodges, wellness retreats and recreational facilities.
Approximately 5,500 acres of both government and private land will be identified and developed in phases across the state’s most promising tourism destinations. The first wave includes Chilika, Konark, Puri (Shamuka), Dhauli, Hirakud, Satkosia, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Deomali, the Buddhist Circuit, Jiranga, Talsari and Tampara-Aryapalli, with more sites to be added based on tourism potential.
The five-year scheme (FY 2026-27 to 2030-31) carries a total financial outlay of ₹1,500 crore, with an annual budget of ₹300 crore. It will facilitate comprehensive destination-level master planning and hand over “plug-and-play” land parcels to investors, slashing project gestation periods and dramatically improving the ease of doing business.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, described the initiative as a transformative intervention. “This is not just about land — it is about creating a robust foundation for tourism-led economic growth, generating thousands of jobs and uplifting local communities in rural and remote areas,” she said.
The scheme is designed as a statewide effort to ensure balanced regional development. By opening up new economic opportunities in emerging destinations, it is expected to benefit local artisans, tourism service providers, entrepreneurs and especially the youth.
The Department of Tourism will act as the nodal agency, working closely with IDCO, OTDC, the Revenue & Disaster Management Department and other concerned departments for smooth implementation.
With this landmark decision, Odisha is sending a clear message: the state is serious about leveraging its unmatched natural beauty, cultural heritage, spiritual sites and wildlife wealth to position itself among the top eco and cultural tourism destinations in India and Asia under the Viksit Odisha 2036 and 2047 vision.
