Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s commitment to transitioning from a linear to a circular economic model and the State with its industrial prowess and natural resource base, is well-placed to lead the circular economy transition in India.
On day two of the Utkarsh Odisha- Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, one of the largest investment summits in India, a sectoral session on Circular Economy. The session was inaugurated by Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia.
Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Satyabrata Sahu chaired the session.
Welcoming the guests and delegates, Additional Chief Secretary, FE&CC, Satyabrata Sahu, emphasized that Circular Economy is a model of growth that Reduces material use, Redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource-intensive, and Recaptures ‘waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products and its relevance in context of Odisha.
As Odisha grows, as the industrial powerhouse of eastern India, it is necessary that the State systematically transitions from the traditional linear model to that of a “Circular” model of economic development, said he.
With its rich industrial base and growing urban pockets, Odisha provides abundant ‘Waste to Wealth’ opportunities in secondary raw materials like slag, flyash, dolochar, gypsum, plastics, etc., with more than 100 million tonnes of these waste being generated from various sources of the State each year.
The session was being facilitated by Forest. Environment and Climate Change Department, and the State Pollution Control Board, with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC India) as the knowledge partner to the Government on Circular Economy.
A total number of about 300 participants, including investors, businesspersons, Government officials, academia, etc. took part in the session, and undertook elaborate discussions on the scope and potential for achieving a “Cradle to Cradle Vision for Swachh and Viksit Odisha – 2036”.
Minister released a Vision Framework for Circular Economy visioning a Swachh and Viksit Odisha – 2036 prepared by the SPCB in association with PWC as their Knowledge Partner.
Dr. K. Murugesan, Member Secretary OSPCB presented the key features of the vision framework which outlines strategic pillars and key interventions required to transform into a circular economic model.
Dr.Murugesan presented details as to how Odisha is leading from the front on circular economy transition in the country.
The session was graced by 11 speakers and panellists, representing the Government, Industry leaders and the Academia. Some of the invited speakers included N. Subrahmanyam, Scientist E, MoEF&CC, Govt. of India; Janavi Papriwal, Associate Partner, Circulate Capital; Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Ex CMD Nalco, Co-Convenor Odisha State, BJP Industry Cell; Sidhartha S. Padhi, Professor, IIM Kozhikode, Kerala; among others. Debidutta Biswal, IFS, PCCF & HoFF delivered the vote of thanks.
The Government has received intents for various innovative projects on Circular Economy, from several industry leaders, including Oil India Limited, Re-Sustainability Ltd, Ganesha Ecopet, Epsilon Carbon Ashoka Pvt Ltd, IDVB Recycling Operations Pvt Ltd, Orissa Metaliks Private Limited, Paradeep Phosphates Limited, Steel Authority of India Ltd, Rourkela, IOCL, etc. The State has received intents for 28 projects. with total investments of about Rs 4075 crores, which is expected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in this niche sector.
The Government is keen to further partner with private players, PSUs and the academia, and facilitate the transitioning of the State into a path of ‘Circular Economy’. Odisha’s push for circularity aligns with its larger vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and contributes to the objective to be a preferred destination for investments in sustainability-driven projects. The five-day event will conclude on Wednesday, January 29 with a mega cultural event and the Conclave being open to the public.