Bhubaneswar: Shrimati Usha Padhee, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, served as the primary representative for Odisha during a national Post-Budget Webinar hosted by the Ministry of Education. Her contribution centered on a forward-looking proposal to bridge the gap between higher education and industrial expansion through the creation of specialized University Townships. This advocacy follows the Union Budget 2026–27 proposal to establish five such townships along major industrial and logistics corridors across India, a move she suggested should be mirrored in Odisha’s strategic planning.
Her vision for these townships is built upon the integration of education with regional economic landscapes. Shrimati Usha Padhee proposed that these developments should be aligned with emerging growth centers such as the BCPPER region and City Economic Zones in Western and Northern Odisha. By focusing these clusters around Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Koraput, she emphasized the importance of ensuring balanced regional development that anchors growth through local academic and industrial synergy.
Beyond simple infrastructure, Shrimati Usha Padhee envisioned these townships as comprehensive, well-planned satellite urban centers. She described a vibrant academic ecosystem that features modern research facilities, high-quality student housing, and robust connectivity. By designing these spaces as innovation clusters, she noted that universities and industries could work in tandem to drive advanced research, professional skill development, and technology-driven entrepreneurship, ultimately making the state more attractive to global talent.
A significant portion of her advocacy focused on the social and inclusive aspects of urban design. She underlined the necessity of safe and accessible campus housing, particularly for women students, to ensure that the academic environment remains inclusive and supportive. By reaffirming Odisha’s readiness to partner with the Central Government, Shrimati Usha Padhee positioned the state as a leader in education-led urban development aimed at transforming regional economic growth through centers of excellence.