Bhubaneswar: The state government has initiated the process of exploring an integrated University Township aimed at bringing together education, research, skill development and industry, with Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput among the locations being considered for the ambitious project.
A high-level meeting on the proposed University Township was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Odisha, with senior officials from the Development Commissioner’s office and the Housing and Urban Development, MSME, Higher Education, Industries, and Revenue and Disaster Management departments in attendance.
The meeting was convened to discuss the Centre’s proposal to establish Universi ty Townships through the challenge route under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education Department, made a presentation on the proposal and its possible implementation in the state.
Though the formal guidelines for the scheme are yet to be received, the proposed township is envisaged as an integrated academic, research, skilling and residential ecosystem.
It would be managed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV), with common infrastructure and services shared by multiple institutions.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of establishing universities specialising in mining and allied disciplines, leveraging Odisha’s rich mineral resources.
As per the proposal discussed at the meeting, eight greenfield universities, each spread over 25 acres, could be established within the township.
The project is proposed to be implemented under a PPP framework, with a tentative 60:40 funding pattern between the Central and state governments.
Kamakhyanagar, Puri-Balukhanda and Jatni-Tangi were initially identified as potential locations during the discussions.