Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday signed an important non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Bhopal to strengthen the preservation and digital documentation of the state’s cultural and archaeological heritage.
The agreement was signed at Sanskruti Bhavan in Bhubaneswar between the Odisha State Archaeology Department and the two national institutions.
Under the collaboration, advanced technologies, including LiDAR, 3D animation, digital mapping, Geographic Information Systems, and remote sensing, will be used for the conservation and digital archiving of Odisha’s major monuments, temples, and historical sites.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, said the initiative was aimed at ensuring long-term protection of the state’s rich cultural and archaeological legacy.
In a post on X, the minister said the partnership represented a meaningful integration of tradition and technology that would help preserve Odisha’s heritage for future generations.
He added that the government wants cultural institutions in the state to adopt modern technological practices while remaining deeply rooted in the values and traditions of Odia civilisation.
According to the minister, the initiative has the potential to position Odisha as a leading model in heritage management and conservation in the country.
He also thanked the authorities and experts of both institutions for joining hands with the state government in the project.
