Odisha Aims for Industrial Expansion and Employment Boost in Khurda District

Bhubaneswar: The  Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development, and Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, visited the industrial estate in Khurda today. Accompanied by the MLA of Khurda, the Principal Secretary to the Government Industries Department, the Managing Director (MD) of IDCO, other IDCO officials, and senior officers of the District Administration, the visit underscored the state’s commitment to industrial development and local employment.

During the visit, MD of IDCO briefed the Minister on various industrial parks in Khurda District and the common infrastructure available to units within these parks. The Minister interacted with several units, including SMS Group, Indo NISSIN, and Coca Cola group, advising them to prioritize local employment and increase the hiring of skilled workers from ITIs and polytechnic institutions in Khurda District.

The Minister also conducted a detailed review meeting at the Collectorate Office in Khurda, attended by MLAs Prashant Kumar Jagdev (Khurda), Pradeep Kumar Sahu (Begunia), and Naba Kishore Mallik (Jayadev), along with senior officers from the Industries Department, IDCO, and the District Administration. The Principal Secretary of Industries updated the Minister on upcoming industries in Khurda District, noting the growing demand for industrial development in the area. To meet this demand, IDCO is developing new industrial parks in Kalibeti, Mundamba, Haldiapada, Begunia, and other locations.

The Principal Secretary highlighted that 15 units have been allocated in the Industrial Park at Mundamba, specifically for food processing industries, with Varun Beverages already operational. Additionally, the industrial park at Kalibeti, designated for the textile and garment sector, has seen the commencement of garment manufacturing unit construction by EPIC.

MD of IDCO detailed the land allocation in various tehsils, including Khurda, Bhubaneswar, Jatani, Begunia, Bolagarh, and Tangi, and provided information on industries that have been allotted land in these areas. The local MLAs praised the government’s efforts in infrastructure development and pledged their support for facilitating industrial investments in the Khurda region. They also emphasized the need for scrutinizing land allotment to ensure effective utilization.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress and infrastructure of upcoming industrial parks, the Minister highlighted Khurda’s potential to become one of India’s industrial hubs. He announced that 15 new land patches have been identified, with an expected investment of around ₹6,400 crore, potentially generating employment opportunities for approximately 13,000 people. The Minister directed IDCO officials and local administrations to promptly address issues related to parking, law and order, power dependency, and water logging. He emphasized the promise of the food processing and textile sectors in driving economic development and creating jobs for local youth.