Key Sectors

• On August 25, 2024, the Odisha government announced a significant road development initiative, planning to construct 15,000 kilometers of new roads over the next five years, with an allocation of Rs. 5,295.12 crore (US$ 634 million) for the current fiscal year to build 2,000 kilometers of roads and develop 20 bridges, alongside additional funding for rural infrastructure and various road projects.
• On June 30, 2024, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed ongoing railway projects in Odisha, focusing on timely completion and practical solutions. He announced simultaneous construction of tunnels for the Khurda Road-Balangir and Talcher-Bimalagarh rail lines. The Minister also highlighted a Rs. 10,536 crore (US$ 1.26 billion) budget for railway infrastructure, aimed at connecting all districts and boosting economic growth.
• On August 31, 2024, Union Minister for Education Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan announced Rs. 500 crore (US$ 59.94 million) for Odisha under the PM-USHA scheme, aimed at enhancing higher education. The initiative will reform universities and colleges, improve infrastructure, and increase employability for around one crore students. With a 60-40 funding ratio between the Centre and states, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the autonomy of educational institutions. 
• Under the State Budget 2023-24, Rs. 27,593 crore (US$ 3.31 billion) was allotted to the Education, Sports, Arts, and Culture. Out of which Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya programme and Mo School Abhiyan has been allocated Rs. 842 crore (US$ 101.08 million) and Rs. 805 crore (US$ 96.64 million), respectively.
• As of March 2024, Odisha had a total installed power generation capacity of 8,124.91 MW, of which 1,964.21 MW was under the central utilities, 3,840.52 MW (under state utilities) and 2,320.18 MW (under private sector). Of the total installed power generation capacity, 5,291.21 MW was contributed by thermal, 2,163.22 MW by hydro, and 670.48 MW by renewable energy.
• Under the State Budget 2023-24, Rs. 4,906 crore (US$ 588.9 million) was allotted to the Urban development out of which Rs. 996 crore (US$ 119.57 million) has been allocated towards the AMRUT scheme and Rs. 300 crore (US$ 36.01 million) has been allocated towards new city development.
• In State Budget 2023-24, Odisha allocated 7.6% of its total expenditure on health, (higher than the average allocation for health by other states 6.3%), 7.1% on rural development (higher than the average allocation for rural development by other states 5.7%) and 7.7% on roads and bridges (higher than the average allocation by states 4.5%).
• As of July 2022, the state had five operational, five notified and seven formally approved SEZs.
• In 2021-22*, the total production of horticulture crops in the state was expected to be 13,062.98 thousand tonnes and the area under production was 1,463.76 thousand hectares. In 2021-22*, the total production of vegetables and fruits was estimated at 9,523.71 thousand tonnes and 2,782.05 thousand tonnes, respectively.
• In 2021-22, 3,898,770 domestic tourists and 3,153 foreign tourists visited Odisha.
• Odisha’s industries are based mainly on the natural resources available in the state. It carries more than 35% of the country’s natural resources. The state has significant reserves of iron ore, bauxite, nickel, coal, etc. Hence, it is an attractive destination for mineral-based industries. In March 2021, ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel India and the Odisha government signed a MoU to establish a 12 MT integrated steel plant in the state, with an investment worth Rs. 50,000 crore (US$ 6.88 billion).
• In Union Budget 2021, Odisha allocated 6.4% of its total expenditure on health, (higher than the average allocation for health by other states (5.5%)), 7.5% on rural development (higher than the average allocation for rural development by other states (6.1%)) and 7.8% on roads and bridges (higher than the average allocation by states (4.3%)).
• In the Maritime India Summit 2021, the government announced to establish Odisha as the hub of maritime trade.

Note: *- Excluding fuel minerals, atomic minerals and minor minerals, as per first advance estimates