Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved a major infrastructure project to provide safe and affordable accommodation for women employed in the state’s expanding textile and apparel industry. A women workers’ hostel with a capacity to house around 4,000 residents will be constructed at the Kalibeti Industrial Area in Khordha district.
The project, to be implemented by the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO), has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹210.36 crore. It will be financed under the Scheme for Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
The hostel has been planned as an integrated residential complex equipped with social and community facilities to support the needs of working women. By offering accommodation close to industrial units, the project aims to create a safer and more convenient environment for employees while reducing the burden of daily travel.
The decision comes at a time when Kalibeti Industrial Estate is witnessing rapid growth as a textile and apparel manufacturing hub. Several leading companies have established operations in the area, and the industrial cluster is projected to generate more than 20,000 jobs in the coming years.
Government officials said the availability of secure housing remains a key requirement for women workers in labour-intensive industries. The proposed hostel is expected to improve workforce participation, enhance worker safety and contribute to better living standards for employees.
The facility is also likely to benefit industries by reducing commuting-related challenges and improving employee retention. Officials noted that easier access to workplace accommodation can help create a more stable workforce and improve overall operational efficiency.
With women comprising a significant share of the workforce in the textile and garment sector, the project is expected to strengthen Odisha’s efforts to build a worker-friendly industrial ecosystem. The initiative also reflects the government’s focus on combining industrial growth with social infrastructure development.
The Cabinet approval is in line with Odisha’s larger vision of emerging as a preferred destination for textile and apparel investments while ensuring that industrial expansion translates into improved welfare and economic opportunities for workers, particularly women.
