Bhubaneswar: Cuttack, Bargarh and Jajpur districts are likely to get new handloom hubs soon.A high-level meeting, chaired by works secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh here on Friday, discussed the establishment of AI- and blockchain-supported handloom hubs at Abhimanpur in Cuttack district and Gopalpur in Jajpur. Similarly, discussions were held on a proposal to establish a handloom and apparel park in Bargarh district at a cost of Rs 20 crore.“The Rs 13.51 crore-worth Cuttack hub, proposed to spread over 2.77 acres, will include an administrative office, along with a guest house, display shop, weaving centre, exhibition area with stalls and warehouse facilities. This will give a new direction to the handloom, handicraft and terracotta sectors in the area while promoting employment,” said an official statement issued on Friday.The apparel park in Bargarh, to be constructed on 9.35 acres at Gobindpur Mauza, will prove highly beneficial for the Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Balangir regions of western Odisha.Here, through long warping, winding, weaving work and the use of high-quality sewing machines, more than 300 artisans will be able to produce various types of garments, said the official sources.The meeting also discussed the establishment of a Bunakar Haat at Behera Balijuri in Bargarh district. It will feature 2,000 pindis for display and sale of handloom products, along with dedicated roads for transportation of goods and commuting, parking facilities and food stalls. The estimated cost for the Bunakar Haat, to be constructed over 29.12 acres, is Rs 27.57 crore, said the official sources.The handloom hub in Jajpur district, to be constructed on approximately 2 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore, will promote the production of silk sarees, textiles and home décor items as well as tourism. It will include production infrastructure, supply chain, training and marketing facilities, dedicated stalls, an administrative office and a Resham Odisha outlet, said the official statement.
