The Odisha government has taken significant strides in enhancing hostel facilities for female students pursuing higher education. Currently, 77,722 female students are enrolled across various state universities and autonomous colleges.
Excluding State Open University and Madhusudan Law University, 15 universities and autonomous colleges offer hostel accommodations for over 20,000 girl students. To address the shortage, the state government has announced substantial funding for the construction, renovation, and expansion of hostel facilities.
Major Allocations:
- Utkal University Rural Campus – ₹9.60 crore for a new girls’ hostel.
- Utkal University Ladies Hostel – ₹5.06 crore for modernization and renovation.
- Rama Devi Women’s University Hostel – ₹1.46 crore sanctioned.
- Manikeswari University SC/ST Ladies Hostel – ₹8.36 crore allocated for a 300-bed facility for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.
- Dharanidhar University Hostel – A 300-bed hostel to be built with ₹11 crore.
- Khalikote Unitary PG Hostel – ₹31.83 lakh for renovation work.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, speaking in the Odisha Assembly, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women’s education. By improving hostel infrastructure, the state aims to encourage higher enrolment, particularly among students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
