Odisha Inaugurates New Hostel at Urban Academy to Boost Capacity Building in Urban Governance

Bhubaneswar: Strengthening its efforts to build a skilled and future-ready urban governance workforce, the Odisha government on Tuesday inaugurated a new residential hostel at the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) in Basuaghai, Bhubaneswar. The facility is expected to significantly enhance the Academy’s capacity to conduct residential training programmes for urban local body officials, elected representatives, engineers, planners and other stakeholders.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra inaugurated the newly constructed hostel in the presence of Jatani MLA Babu Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department Usha Padhee, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty and senior departmental officials.

On the occasion, the Annual Training Calendar of the Odisha Urban Academy was also unveiled, highlighting the State Government’s focus on continuous learning, professional development and institutional strengthening in the urban sector.

Built at a cost of ₹9.45 crore, the hostel has been designed as a dedicated residential facility for participants attending training programmes, workshops, research initiatives and knowledge-sharing activities organised by the Academy. The facility can accommodate 56 residents in 28 twin-sharing rooms, including 24 standard rooms and four premium rooms. Each room is equipped with attached toilets and balconies.

The hostel also features a reception and administrative block, a dining hall with seating capacity for 40 persons, a modular kitchen, guest rooms, common utility spaces, spacious lobbies and interaction areas. To support residential training programmes, the facility houses a fully equipped conference hall, a gymnasium and indoor recreation amenities.

The building incorporates several modern and sustainable features, including centralised air-conditioning, uninterrupted power backup, 24-hour water supply, lift access and a solar energy system aimed at promoting environmentally responsible operations.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mohapatra underscored the importance of capacity building in achieving Odisha’s urban development objectives. He said strong institutions and well-trained human resources are essential for delivering efficient and citizen-centric services in rapidly urbanising regions.

The Minister noted that the Odisha Urban Academy has evolved into a unique learning centre equipped with practical demonstration facilities such as a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Septage Treatment Plant (SSTP) and Material Recovery Facility (MRF), providing participants hands-on exposure to modern sanitation, waste management and water reuse technologies.

He said the lack of accommodation facilities had previously limited the Academy’s ability to host larger training programmes. With the inauguration of the hostel, more trainees from Odisha and other parts of the country will now be able to stay on campus and participate in capacity-building initiatives.

Dr. Mohapatra also informed that a landscaped public park has been developed within the campus, complete with children’s play equipment, creating a community-friendly environment that integrates learning, recreation and public engagement.

MLA Babu Singh praised the government’s investment in strengthening urban governance infrastructure and human resource development. He said the Odisha Urban Academy has emerged as an important platform for nurturing future-ready urban leadership and enhancing the capacities of urban local bodies.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee said the Academy is steadily emerging as a centre of excellence for urban learning, innovation and leadership development. She observed that the new hostel would substantially improve the institution’s ability to organise residential training programmes, exposure visits and professional development activities for urban sector stakeholders from across the state.

Officials said the hostel marks a major milestone in Odisha’s efforts to create world-class urban capacity-building infrastructure and will play a key role in supporting the State’s vision of sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development.