Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has announced a series of major reforms aimed at strengthening the state's industrial ecosystem, expediting infrastructure development and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) environment.

The initiatives were discussed during a high-level stakeholders' meeting chaired by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department and Chairperson of IDCO. The meeting brought together representatives from leading industry associations, MSME bodies, sectoral chambers and regional trade organisations to deliberate on key issues affecting industrial growth.

Addressing the gathering, Padhee reiterated IDCO's commitment to transparent governance, continuous engagement with industry stakeholders and faster resolution of industrial concerns. She stressed that regular consultations and swift decision-making are essential to making Odisha a more competitive and investor-friendly destination.

Significant progress in industrial infrastructure

Highlighting IDCO's performance over the past two years, officials said the Corporation has expanded its industrial land bank by nearly 6,000 acres and handed over 6,027 acres of land to large and medium industries. During the period, land was allotted to 93 major industrial projects across the state.

To promote balanced regional industrialisation, IDCO has developed 30 Multi-Product MSME Parks along with dedicated industrial parks for sectors such as electronics, textiles, plastics, seafood processing and aluminium-based industries.

The Corporation is currently implementing 147 industrial infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 3,500 crore, while another 117 projects valued at over Rs 1,870 crore have been proposed under the Industrial Infrastructure Development Fund (IIDF) and SASCI schemes.

At present, IDCO manages nearly 150 Industrial Estates, Industrial Areas and MSME Parks, covering over 14,095 acres of developed industrial land and supporting 6,661 industrial units.

Governance reforms to speed up approvals

The meeting also reviewed several governance reforms aimed at simplifying approvals and improving service delivery for industries.

Among the key reforms, IDCO has allowed industries to fully utilise the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR) without requiring Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates. It has also removed ground coverage restrictions for industrial buildings, flatted factories and IT/ITES establishments.

To further reduce approval timelines, the Chairperson advised industry associations to submit standardised industrial building designs for pre-approval. IDCO also announced that mortgage No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be automated through integration with allotment letters.

A digital Industrial Land Bank platform is also being developed to enhance transparency in land availability and allotment. The Corporation has set a target of completing land allotment, lease execution and physical possession within one month of approval by the Land Allotment Committee.

Infrastructure upgrades across industrial estates

Responding to concerns raised by industry representatives, IDCO informed that water supply has been restored at the Khordha Industrial Estate, while drainage proposals for Jagatpur Industrial Estate have been submitted for approval. Smart street lighting is also being expanded across industrial estates.

Recognising the rapid growth of Bhubaneswar's Infocity, which employs around 30,000 professionals, IDCO said it is pursuing a Multi-Level Car Parking project and identifying additional land to address parking shortages.

Infrastructure upgradation projects worth nearly Rs 500 crore are currently underway across seven major industrial estates, focusing on roads, drainage systems, utilities and civic amenities. Plans are also being prepared for common fire hydrant systems and enhanced industrial security.

Industry bodies participate

The meeting witnessed participation from several leading industry organisations, including UCCI, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, ICC, World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar, FIEO, OASME, OSSIA, NOCCI, RCCI, BCIC, TiE Bhubaneswar, NASSCOM, and various sector-specific associations and women entrepreneurs' networks.

The interaction concluded with a shared commitment to institutionalise regular consultations, accelerate industrial infrastructure development, simplify regulatory processes and further strengthen Odisha's position as one of India's preferred investment destinations.