Bhubaneswar, June 3: In a major step towards strengthening institutional capacity and building a future-ready urban governance ecosystem, Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra on Wednesday inaugurated the newly constructed Hostel of the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) at Basuaghai in Bhubaneswar.
On the occasion, the Annual Training Calendar of the Odisha Urban Academy was also unveiled, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to continuous learning, professional development and institutional excellence in the urban sector.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 9.45 crore, the hostel has been developed as a dedicated residential facility to support trainers, trainees, urban professionals, elected representatives and other stakeholders participating in various capacity-building, training, research and knowledge-sharing programmes conducted by the Academy.
Designed to provide a comfortable, functional and learner-centric environment, the hostel can accommodate 56 residents through 28 twin-sharing rooms, including 24 standard rooms and four premium rooms, each equipped with attached toilets and balconies. The facility also includes a reception and administrative area, a dining hall with seating capacity for 40 persons, a modular kitchen, guest rooms, common utility spaces, spacious lobbies and community interaction areas.
To facilitate high-quality residential training programmes and workshops, the hostel houses a fully equipped conference hall, along with a gymnasium and indoor recreation facilities, ensuring a holistic and enriching experience for participants.
The building incorporates several modern amenities and sustainability features, including centralized air-conditioning, uninterrupted power backup, round-the-clock water supply, lift access and a solar power system to promote energy-efficient and environmentally responsible operations.
Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) MLA Babu Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (H&UD) Usha Padhee, WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty, and senior officials of the H&UD Department were present during the inaugural event.
