**Summary:**
On July 3, 2025, Odisha's Minister for Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, and Science Technology, Sri Krushna Chandra Patra, met with Union Minister of State for Science Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi to request central government support for the establishment of a Science City in Bhubaneswar. The Odisha government has offered 100 acres of land for the project, which aims to promote scientific learning, innovation, and education among youth through interactive exhibits, learning spaces, and research facilities. Dr. Singh welcomed the proposal and assured that central officials would discuss implementation modalities. He also suggested strengthening existing scientific infrastructure in Odisha, including CSIR laboratories and space research centers. Minister Patra also submitted proposals for an Astronomy Observatory, a Bay of Bengal Coastal Observatory, an Intellectual Property and Patent Facilitation Centre, and projects under the Department of Biotechnology, the National Council for Science Museums, and the Ministry of Culture. Dr. Singh encouraged Odisha to explore partnerships under the Central Government’s BioE3 policy and to leverage its coastal and mineral resources under national missions like the Deep Ocean Mission. The meeting emphasized cooperative federalism in advancing India's science and technology landscape.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science Technology Odisha: The state ministry of Odisha responsible for science and technology initiatives.
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: The location of the proposed Science City.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State for Science Technology.
Sri Krushna Chandra Patra: Odisha's Minister for Food Supplies Consumer Welfare and Science Technology.
Science City: A proposed science center in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, aimed at promoting scientific learning and innovation.
Government of India: The national government of India.
Department of Biotechnology: A department under the Government of India for Biotechnology initiatives.
Deep Ocean Mission: A national mission for utilizing coastal and mineral sectors for public benefit.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Odisha Seeks Centre’s Backing for Science City in
Bhubaneswar
Dr. Jitendra Singh assures due consideration; calls
for leveraging Odisha’s scientific potential
Posted On: 03 JUL 2025 5:38PM by PIB Delhi
In a bid to boost scientific learning and innovation in eastern India, Odisha’s Minister for Food Supplies &
Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology, Sri Krushna Chandra Patra, met Union Minister of State for
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi today, seeking central assistance for the establishment
of a state-of-the-art Science City in Bhubaneswar.
The Odisha Government has offered 100 acres of land for the proposed Science City, aimed at
fostering scientific curiosity, innovation, and education, especially among youth. “We believe central
support will be instrumental in realizing this vision,” said Patra in a formal letter handed over during
the meeting.
The proposed Science City is envisioned as an interactive hub featuring modern exhibits, immersivelearning spaces, and research facilities. According to the Odisha Minister, the initiative aligns with
the Government of India’s broader goal to promote scientific temper and position India as a global
innovation leader.
Responding to the proposal, Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the initiative and assured that officials
from the Centre would discuss modalities to move forward. He also suggested strengthening
Odisha’s existing scientific infrastructure, including CSIR laboratories and space research centres,
to complement the proposed new initiatives.
Apart from the Science City, Patra submitted several other proposals, including the setting up of an
Astronomy Observatory, a Bay of Bengal Coastal Observatory under the Ministry of Earth Sciences,
an Intellectual Property and Patent Facilitation Centre, and projects under the Department of
Biotechnology. The Minister also sought support for proposals under the National Council for
Science Museums and Ministry of Culture.
Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged the Odisha delegation to explore partnerships under the Central
Government’s Bio-E3 policy by setting up a Bio E-Cell in the state. He also emphasized Odisha’s
natural advantages—particularly in the coastal and mineral sectors—and suggested they could be
effectively harnessed under national missions like the Deep Ocean Mission for broader public
benefit.
The meeting marks a broader effort to align state-level scientific initiatives with national policy
priorities, underscoring the role of cooperative federalism in driving India’s science and technology
landscape forward.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2141854)