Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday inaugurated a new hostel facility at the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) in Basuaghai, Bhubaneswar, aiming to strengthen capacity-building initiatives and expand residential training opportunities for urban governance professionals and stakeholders.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra inaugurated the facility in the presence of MLA Babu Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty, and senior departmental officials.
The occasion also saw the unveiling of the Odisha Urban Academy’s Annual Training Calendar, underscoring the state’s focus on continuous professional development and institutional strengthening in the urban sector.
Built at a cost of Rs 9.45 crore, the hostel has been designed to accommodate participants attending training programmes, workshops, research initiatives, and knowledge-sharing events organised by the Academy.
The residential facility can house 56 occupants in 28 twin-sharing rooms, including 24 standard and four premium rooms, each equipped with attached bathrooms and balconies.
The complex includes a reception area, dining hall, modular kitchen, guest rooms, conference hall, common utility spaces, and recreation facilities. Modern amenities such as centralised air-conditioning, power backup, lift access, round-the-clock water supply, and a solar power system have also been incorporated into the design.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mohapatra said capacity building remains central to achieving Odisha’s urban development objectives. He noted that strong institutions and skilled personnel are essential for delivering efficient citizen services and addressing challenges arising from rapid urbanisation.
The minister highlighted that the Odisha Urban Academy has developed into a specialised urban learning centre with practical demonstration facilities such as a Sewage Treatment Plant, Septage Treatment Plant, and Material Recovery Facility. These facilities, he said, provide hands-on exposure to sanitation, waste management, and water reuse systems.
He further noted that the lack of accommodation had previously limited the Academy’s ability to host larger training programmes. The new hostel is expected to remove that constraint by enabling more participants from across India and abroad to stay on campus and take part in training activities.
Dr. Mohapatra also informed that a landscaped public park with children’s play equipment has been developed within the campus, creating a community space that combines learning and recreation.
MLA Babu Singh said the Academy had emerged as an important platform for strengthening the capacities of urban local bodies and developing future-ready leadership in the urban sector. He expressed confidence that the hostel would expand opportunities for residential learning, skill development, and knowledge exchange among officials, elected representatives, and urban professionals.
