Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of key infrastructure and development projects at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). The meeting, held at the conference hall of Krushi Bhavan, was also attended by Law and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and senior officials.
The review comes at a time when OUAT, a premier academic institution in the state, is undergoing significant upgrades to elevate its campus facilities and learning environment to world-class standards.
Emphasizing the need for modern infrastructure to support quality education, Deputy CM Singh Deo directed officials to expedite all ongoing construction activities, especially the hostel development and upgradation, ensuring completion before the start of the new academic year.
Law and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan advised executing agencies to follow government norms and opt for multi-storey hostel construction to accommodate the growing student population efficiently.
Key Projects Underway
As part of OUAT’s development plan, several major projects are currently underway:
- A 500-bed boys’ hostel
- A 200-bed farmers’ hostel
- A 500-seat new auditorium
- A new administrative building, designed to be an iconic structure comparable to the Krushi Bhavan
- Upgradation of 10 existing girls’ hostels
- A farmers’ training centre
These efforts are expected to enhance the academic experience and campus life for students, while also strengthening outreach and training for the farming community.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, presented a comprehensive update on each project and reiterated the department’s commitment to full cooperation and support in ensuring timely and quality execution.
Also present at the meeting were OUAT Vice Chancellor Dr. Prabhat Kumar Raul, CMD of Odisha Police Housing Corporation Soumendra Priyadarshi, and the Chief Engineer of the Works Department.
