Kataka: Odisha on Tuesday added a major public knowledge hub to its educational infrastructure with the inauguration of the Biswanath Pandit Central Library, a state-of-the-art facility built at Badambadi in Kataka at a cost of ₹42 crore.
Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra inaugurated the three-storey library, spread across three acres, describing it as a landmark institution that would strengthen the state’s reading culture and usher in a new era of knowledge, research and innovation.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the library would serve as a world-class centre for students, researchers, academicians and the general public, while promoting lifelong learning and academic excellence. He also reiterated the State Government’s commitment to the holistic development of Kataka, stating that priority would be given to transforming the historic city into a cleaner, greener and more vibrant urban centre.
During the programme, Mahapatra also launched the Library Management System (LMS), aimed at enabling technology-driven library services and efficient digital management of books and members. Thirty-five eminent publishers from Cuttack were felicitated in recognition of their contribution to Odisha’s literary and publishing ecosystem.
The Minister also unveiled the official logo for the year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC). In another key announcement, he virtually laid the foundation stone for a modern Goshala to be developed over five acres at Gurdijhatia at an estimated cost of ₹21 crore.
KMC Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota said the Biswanath Pandit Central Library would emerge as a premier centre for knowledge creation, research and intellectual engagement, benefiting students, scholars and readers from across Odisha.
Developed by the Odisha State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Ltd., the smart library houses more than one lakh books and can accommodate over 1,000 readers. It features a dedicated e-library, children’s reading zone, research section, central air-conditioning, high-speed internet, photocopying services, an 84-seat auditorium, an audio-visual conference room, a 72-seat cafeteria, Divyang-friendly infrastructure, CCTV surveillance, round-the-clock security, fire safety systems, solar power facilities, ample parking space and landscaped green surroundings.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Kataka Mayor Subash Singh, Barabati-Kataka MLA Sofia Firdous, Choudwar-Kataka MLA Souvic Biswal, Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi, Deputy Mayor Damayanti Majhi, District Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, elected representatives, corporators and senior government officials.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the KMC Commissioner.
