Odisha advances industrial growth with new rail-tech park and science roadmap

Odisha is advancing its industrial and scientific landscape through two major initiatives. The state is set to launch India’s first rail-tech park at the Sahaspur industrial estate in the Khordha district. This dedicated ecosystem aims to support manufacturers of railway equipment, components, and specialized engineering products, driven by India’s ongoing railway modernization program. The state has already approved six railway-related manufacturing projects, including Jupiter Wagons Ltd and Amsted Steel Foundries, representing a combined investment of approximately Rs 24,600 crore.

In addition to heavy industry, the state is focusing on science-led growth through an integrated roadmap involving marine biotechnology, space applications, and rare earth exploration. Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Odisha’s Science & Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra have discussed expanding the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar, with the state government providing an additional 50 acres of land. This expansion is intended to strengthen research in life sciences and support the Bio-E3 framework, while the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) seeks to connect academic and research institutions to utilize the state’s coastal and mineral resources.