In a significant push to strengthen Odisha’s industrial ecosystem and enhance the state’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has announced a series of governance reforms, infrastructure upgrades and investor-friendly initiatives aimed at accelerating industrial growth.
The reforms were discussed during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting chaired by IDCO Chairperson and Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, who reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to transparent governance, faster decision-making and continuous engagement with industry stakeholders.
Industry leaders discuss infrastructure and investment challenges
The meeting, held at the IDCO headquarters in Bhubaneswar, brought together representatives from leading industry associations, MSME organisations, sectoral chambers and regional trade bodies, along with senior IDCO officials.
Participants deliberated on key issues including industrial infrastructure, land allotment, logistics, utilities, regulatory approvals and investment facilitation, while also sharing recommendations to strengthen Odisha’s business environment.
Addressing the gathering, Usha Padhee said stakeholder consultations and timely resolution of industry concerns remain central to building a competitive and investor-friendly industrial ecosystem.
IDCO expands industrial land bank, supports major investments
Highlighting its performance over the past two years, IDCO said it has significantly expanded industrial infrastructure across the state.
Key achievements include:
- Expansion of the Industrial Land Bank by nearly 6,000 acres
- Handover of 6,027 acres to large and medium industries
- Land allotment for 93 major industrial projects
- Development of 30 Multi-Product MSME Parks across Odisha
- Establishment of sector-specific parks for electronics, textiles, plastics, seafood processing and aluminium-based industries
The corporation currently manages around 150 Industrial Estates, Industrial Areas and MSME Parks covering more than 14,095 acres of developed industrial land, supporting 6,661 industrial units across the state.
₹3,500 crore infrastructure projects under implementation
IDCO informed stakeholders that it is implementing 147 industrial infrastructure projects worth over ₹3,500 crore.
In addition, 117 new projects valued at more than ₹1,870 crore have been proposed under the Industrial Infrastructure Development Fund (IIDF) and SASCI schemes to further improve industrial connectivity and infrastructure.
Governance reforms to simplify approvals
To reduce procedural delays and improve investor experience, IDCO announced several governance reforms.
The corporation has:
- Allowed full utilisation of the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR) without requiring Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates.
- Removed ground coverage restrictions for industrial buildings, flatted factories and IT/ITES establishments.
- Planned automated issuance of mortgage No Objection Certificates (NOCs) through integration with allotment letters.
- Begun developing a digital Industrial Land Bank platform to improve transparency and accessibility.
- Set a target to complete land allotment, lease execution and physical possession within one month after approval by the Land Allotment Committee.
The Chairperson also encouraged industry associations to jointly submit standardised industrial building designs for pre-approval to further reduce approval timelines.
Infrastructure upgrades across industrial estates
Responding to concerns raised by industry representatives, IDCO outlined several ongoing infrastructure initiatives.
The corporation said:
- Water supply has been restored at Khordha Industrial Estate.
- Drainage proposals for Jagatpur Industrial Estate have been submitted for approval.
- Smart street lighting systems are being expanded across industrial estates.
- Infrastructure upgrades worth nearly ₹500 crore are underway in seven major industrial estates, focusing on roads, drainage, utilities and civic amenities.
Recognising the rapid growth of Bhubaneswar’s Infocity, which employs nearly 30,000 professionals, IDCO is also pursuing a Multi-Level Car Parking project while identifying additional land to ease parking shortages.
Plans are also underway to establish common fire-hydrant systems and strengthen industrial security across major industrial estates.
Industry bodies pledge continued collaboration
The meeting witnessed participation from leading industry organisations, including UCCI, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, ICC, World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar, FIEO, OASME, OSSIA, NOCCI, RCCI, BCIC, TiE Bhubaneswar, NASSCOM, along with several sector-specific associations and women entrepreneurs’ networks.
The interaction concluded with a shared commitment between IDCO and industry stakeholders to institutionalise regular consultations, accelerate industrial infrastructure development, simplify regulatory processes and further strengthen Odisha’s position as one of India’s preferred investment destinations.
