Bhubaneswar: Odisha has accorded in-principle approval to 16 infrastructure projects with a combined estimated investment of around Rs 16,330 crore, as the state steps up efforts to expand public-private partnership (PPP) investments across key sectors.
The approvals were granted at the 66th meeting of the Empowered Committee on Infrastructure for PPP Projects, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan here on Thursday.
Of the 16 projects, 11 projects with an aggregate estimated cost of around Rs 15,498 crore were identified under the state’s collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Five additional projects, involving an estimated investment of Rs 831.68 crore, also received approval.
A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of a tripartite agreement among the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), IFC and the state’s PPP Cell for the proposed Gopalpur Desalination Project. With an estimated cost of around Rs 1,000 crore, the initiative will be the first project of its kind to be undertaken through the PPP model in Odisha.
Addressing the meeting, Garg stressed the need to develop a strong pipeline of viable PPP projects across diverse sectors under the state’s ongoing collaboration with IFC. She highlighted areas such as affordable urban housing and industrial infrastructure, besides projects capable of generating large-scale social impact.
Kamal Dorabawila, Manager, PPP Transaction Advisory Services (South Asia), IFC, said the organisation’s team was committed to positioning Odisha as a strategic hub for globally competitive investment opportunities.
The committee also reviewed the progress of 28 ongoing PPP projects with a cumulative estimated project cost of Rs 28,764.28 crore.
