Bhubaneswar: Fifteen projects from Odisha have been shortlisted for the prestigious 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards-2026, instituted by the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), New Delhi.
The awards recognise excellence, innovation, and best practices in the Indian construction industry, inspired by Lord Vishwakarma, the deity symbolising creation and craftsmanship.
Architect Tara Prasad Dhal (Principal Architect, The Design Group) and engineer Ashok Kumar Basa (associated with B. Engineers & Builders Ltd/CEM Engineers & Consultants Pvt Ltd) will receive the Vishwakarma Award in the Industry Doyen category for their outstanding contributions to the state’s construction landscape.
Basa, a civil engineer and former president of the Institution of Engineers (India), has been involved in landmark infrastructure like bridges and flyovers.
The CIDC has formally informed Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg t
hat the awards will be presented during the ‘17th CIDC Viswakarma Awards and Exhibition’, scheduled for April 10 in New Delhi.
The shortlisted projects from Odisha include:
>> Lokayukta Bhawan — the permanent office building for the Lokayukta in Bhubaneswar.
>> Aquatic Centre and Badminton High Performance Centre ‘Shuttle’ under the Sports department.
>> Package OD-07 of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor in Koraput.
>> Construction of a 250-bed postgraduate hospital block for mother and child care in Jajpur.
>> Five irrigation projects from the Water Resources department.
>> Three projects from the Works department.
This year, the council received around 1,550 applications from across India in various categories. Odisha’s strong showing, spanning both public and private sectors, highlights the state’s progress in key infrastructure areas such as buildings, highways, and irrigation.
Adding to the state’s achievements, a book on lean construction technology—co-authored by former Engineer-in-Chief of the Works department, Manoranjan Mishra, will also be unveiled during the event. The publication shares practical insights, case studies, and tools like collaborative planning and value stream mapping aimed at improving project performance and efficiency in the construction industry.