Odisha Government’s Major Move: Every Project to Go ‘High-Tech’ with New ‘State Special Cell’
To execute this, the government will take support from premier institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, BPUT and OUTR.
Bhubaneswar: A ‘State Special Cell’ is on the way in Odisha. Every project will be high-tech!
In a major move to strengthen and modernize the state’s infrastructure development, the Odisha Government is set to establish a dedicated ‘State Special Cell’.
The cell will function as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for project planning, design evaluation, monitoring, training and research.
The cell will play a key role in achieving the targets of ‘Odisha Vision 2036’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. It will help reduce cost escalations in projects and enable the creation of climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Why the new cell?
At present, different departments hire separate consultants, leading to a lack of uniformity in design. This also results in frequent budget hikes and errors in project report preparation.
The absence of a centralized review system and limited use of modern technologies like GIS, AI and BIM are among the key reasons behind these issues. The new cell aims to address all of these.
Key Objectives:
Standardize DPR formats, cost estimates and design parameters for all departments.
Conduct rigorous technical review before approving major projects.
Promote the use of AI, Geographic Information System, and Building Information Modeling in planning and design.
Reduce dependence on external consultants and build in-house expertise.
Promote environment-friendly architecture while preserving Odisha’s cultural heritage.
The Special Cell will have specific wings. Given Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones and floods, it will place special focus on quality checks and climate resilience.
The new system is expected to prevent project delays and ensure proper utilization of public funds. To execute this, the government will take support from premier institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, BPUT and OUTR. Officials expect this initiative to bring transformational changes in urban development, transport, health, education and tourism sectors.
