Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has shifted into high gear under the leadership of Shrimati Usha Padhee, who recently assumed charge as Chairperson. In a move that has significantly bolstered investor confidence, the state-run PSU is aggressively fast-tracking land allotment processes and resolving long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks that have previously hindered industrial growth.
Since taking the helm, Shrimati Padhee, who is Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development has adopted a hands-on approach, conducting extensive field visits to key industrial hubs across the state. Her recent itinerary included a high-profile visit to the Kalinganagar industrial region in Jajpur, where she inspected nearly 600 acres of land at Alijanga and Sukutijhara. During the visit, she assessed the readiness of these zones for immediate industrial expansion and evaluated the progress of the Kalinganagar National Industrial Corridor (KNIC).
In another strategic intervention, the Chairperson IDCO visited Kuspangi and Bali villages in the Athagarh tehsil of Cuttack. Accompanied by senior district officials, she reviewed identified land parcels earmarked for new industrial parks. Her focus remains on creating industry-ready infrastructure, including robust road connectivity, reliable power supply, and efficient water management systems, ensuring that investors can set up units without traditional bureaucratic delays.
The impact of this proactive leadership is already visible. Under her chairpersonship, the Land Allotment Committee (LAC) recently cleared land for 31 long-pending industrial projects. These approvals span various sectors, including MSMEs, apparel, textiles, and food processing. Notably, a significant portion of these projects is slated for non-industrial and backward districts like Koraput, Kalahandi, and Rayagada, aligning with the state’s vision for inclusive and regionally balanced economic development.
Investors and industry bodies have welcomed these interventions, noting that the emphasis on transparency and time-bound decision-making is a breath of fresh air. By integrating industrial township planning with modern urban amenities, IDCO is not just providing land for factories but is building sustainable ecosystems for the workforce.
IDCO Chief, Shrimati Padhee has directed officials to maintain close coordination with district administrations to ensure that land-related issues are resolved at the ground level, further streamlining the path for new investments in Odisha.