Bhubaneswar: As part of efforts to strengthen industrial infrastructure and support Odisha’s growing textile and apparel sector, the state Cabinet on Monday approved the turnkey tender process for the development of a Women Workers’ Hostel at the Kalibeti Industrial Area in Khurda district.
The project, to be executed by the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO), has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 210.36 crore. It will be funded under the Scheme for Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and is scheduled for completion within 24 months, Chief Secretary Anu Garg told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The proposed hostel will accommodate around 4,000 women workers and is envisaged as a comprehensive residential facility integrated with social and community infrastructure. The initiative aims to provide safe and secure accommodation close to workplaces, thereby reducing travel time and improving overall productivity and quality of life for women employed in the industrial area, she said.
Kalibeti Industrial Estate has emerged as a key textile and apparel manufacturing hub in Odisha, attracting investments from leading companies such as MAS Holdings, EPIC and Indian Stitches. These units are expected to generate more than 20,000 employment opportunities in the coming years.
Officials said women account for nearly 65 to 70 per cent of the global textile workforce, making the provision of safe and affordable accommodation a critical requirement for the sector’s sustainable growth.
The hostel project is expected to enhance worker safety, reduce commuting challenges, lower employee turnover, and support the operational efficiency of industrial units in the region.
In another major decision, the Cabinet cleared a proposal from the Water Resources Department for the construction of a saddle spillway for the Brutang Reservoir near Manjari village in Nayagarh district. The project, estimated at Rs 194.07 crore, is scheduled for completion within 30 months.
Once completed, the Brutang Irrigation Project will provide assured irrigation to 309 villages, creating an irrigation potential of 23,300 hectares. The project is expected to significantly boost the socio-economic conditions of farmers and aid regional development.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the construction of a new in-stream storage structure downstream of the existing Ayodhya Sagar weir across the Mahanadi River. The project will include a bridge-cum-barrage along with allied works to ensure regulated and reliable water supply.
Built in the 1960s, the Ayodhya Sagar weir is the primary water source for Sambalpur town and nearby rural areas. Officials said the structure has developed cracks and heavy leakage over time, reducing storage and efficiency. Technical assessments found repair unfeasible and uneconomical.
The Cabinet cleared the lowest financial bid of Rs 440,33,91,470.06 excluding GST for construction of the new bridge-cum-barrage downstream of the existing weir. The package includes five years of operation and maintenance. Work is targeted for completion in 30 months.
Once operational, the new ISS will ensure a reliable drinking water supply to Sambalpur and adjoining areas. It will also support animal husbandry, fisheries, and livelihood activities, and enhance groundwater recharge.
The project aims to maintain ecological balance while promoting tourism and recreation through boating facilities. It will also facilitate development of an Alati Ghat for Samaleswari Temple to support religious and cultural activities.
