New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar, July 3: In a bid to boost scientific learning and innovation in eastern India, Odisha’s Minister for Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology, 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, immersive learning 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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