Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance scientific learning and innovation in eastern India, Odisha’s Minister for Science & Technology Krushna Chandra Patra met Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Thursday.
The Odisha government is seeking central assistance for setting up a state-of-the-art Science City in Bhubaneswar.
The state has offered 100 acres of land for the proposed facility, which aims to foster scientific curiosity, innovation, and education, particularly among the youth.
“We believe central support will be instrumental in realising this vision,” said Patra, who handed over a formal letter during the meeting.
The envisioned Science City will serve as an interactive hub, featuring modern exhibits, immersive learning spaces, and advanced research facilities.
According to Patra, this initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader objective of promoting scientific temper and establishing India as a global leader in innovation.
Responding positively, Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the proposal and assured that officials from the Centre would explore the modalities for its implementation. He also suggested bolstering Odisha’s existing scientific infrastructure, including CSIR laboratories and space research centres, to complement the new initiatives.
In addition to the Science City, Patra presented several other proposals, including the establishment of an Astronomy Observatory, a Bay of Bengal Coastal Observatory under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, an Intellectual Property and Patent Facilitation Centre, and various projects under the Department of Biotechnology. Support was also sought for initiatives under the National Council for Science Museums and the Ministry of Culture.
Dr. Singh further encouraged the Odisha delegation to consider partnerships under the Central Government’s Bio-E3 policy by establishing a Bio E-Cell in the state. Highlighting Odisha’s natural strengths, particularly in coastal and mineral sectors, he suggested leveraging these assets through national missions like the Deep Ocean Mission to benefit the wider public.
This meeting underscores the ongoing effort to align state-level scientific projects with national policy priorities and highlights the importance of cooperative federalism in advancing India’s science and technology sector.
