The Odisha State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, today cleared 10 major proposals across five departments.
The decisions, announced by Chief Secretary Anu Garg after the 41st Cabinet meeting, signal a decisive push towards women’s safety, urban sustainability, reliable water supply, agricultural resilience and world-class tourism infrastructure.
Empowering Women in the Textile Boom
In a landmark move under the Industries Department, the Cabinet approved the turnkey development of a Women Workers’ Hostel at Kalibeti Industrial Area, Khordha, at a cost of ₹210.36 crore. The facility will house 4,000 women workers from major textile and apparel units like MAS Holdings, EPIC and Indian Stitches — companies expected to generate over 20,000 jobs.
With women forming 65-70% of the global textile workforce, the hostel is being positioned as a game-changer for safety, productivity and retention in Odisha’s emerging textile hub. The project, funded by SASCI and executed by IDCO, will be completed in 24 months.
Urban Renaissance in Bhubaneswar & Beyond
The Housing & Urban Development Department received four major approvals:
- A ₹500 crore Waterfront Development Scheme over five years to rejuvenate riverfronts and urban water bodies across selected cities, creating vibrant, eco-friendly public spaces.
- Reduction of stamp duty and registration fees to just 0.6–0.7% (from the current 6–7%) for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beneficiaries under PMAY-U 2.0 and other state affordable housing schemes — offering massive relief to urban poor.
- ₹112.31 crore 24×7 water supply project for Town Planning Schemes 1, 2 & 3 under Bhubaneswar Development Authority (executed by WATCO).
- ₹100.89 crore Waste Water Treatment Plant (60 MLD) at the confluence of River Daya and Gangua Nallah to clean up one of Bhubaneswar’s most polluted drains.Water Security & Farmer Prosperity
The Department of Water Resources secured two big-ticket approvals:
- Construction of a new In-Stream Storage Structure (bridge-cum-barrage) downstream of the dilapidated Ayodhya Sagar weir in Sambalpur at ₹440.34 crore. The project will ensure sustainable drinking water, support fisheries, animal husbandry and tourism while recharging groundwater.
- Spillway for the Brutang Irrigation Project in Nayagarh district at ₹194.07 crore. Once complete, it will provide assured irrigation to 23,300 hectares and 309 villages across five blocks in this drought-prone region.
Tourism Gets a Massive Land Bank
In a visionary step under the Tourism Department, the Cabinet approved the “Land Bank for Hospitality Infrastructure” scheme with a ₹1,500 crore outlay over five years. Approximately 5,500 acres of investment-ready land will be developed across key destinations, including Chilika, Konark, Puri (Shamuka), Satkosia, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi and the Buddhist Circuit.
The move is expected to dramatically cut project gestation periods, attract large private investments in hotels, resorts and eco-tourism, and generate thousands of jobs in rural and semi-urban areas.
Support for National Disaster Response
The Revenue & Disaster Management Department received approval for waiving ₹13.07 lakh in capitalised land revenue for 0.70 acres of government land in Cuttack allotted to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for an approach road to its Mundali complex — recognising the force’s critical public service role.
Taken together, today’s decisions reflect the State Government’s focused strategy of balancing industrial growth, urban livability, agricultural security and tourism-led economic transformation.
