Bhubaneswar: Centre has laid out an integrated roadmap for Odisha bringing together the proposed rare earth corridor, state’s marine and coastal resources, biotechnology ecosystem, space capabilities and network of scientific institutions, said Jitendra Singh, Union minister of state (independent charge) for science & technology and earth sciences on Tuesday.Singh discussed the roadmap with state science and technology minister Krushna Chandra Patra, who called on him on Tuesday and presented proposals on Odisha’s priorities in the sector.A key decision was to expand the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar, under the Centre’s Department of Biotechnology, with the state govt set to provide an additional 50 acres of land. The expansion is expected to strengthen research and support initiatives under the Bio-E3 framework — biotechnology for economy, environment and employment.Singh said the eastern coastal region can play a larger role in India’s emerging nuclear and marine roadmap, with Odisha well placed to contribute through coordinated efforts involving central scientific institutions and the state govt.Marine biotechnology emerged as another major focus, with the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor at the centre of the discussions. The collaborative platform has partnerships with IIT Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, Fakir Mohan University, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur and ILS Bhubaneswar. Its next phase will seek closer alignment with earth sciences, CSIR and the Department of Biotechnology, linking Odisha’s marine resources with advanced research, biotechnology applications and industrial innovation.The discussions also explored closer alignment of the state’s space capabilities with Isro, including the possibility of developing a space research and manufacturing centre in public-private partnership mode.The focus also shifted to rare earths, a key component of India’s strategic technology push. The Union Budget 2026-27 has announced dedicated rare earth corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, focusing on mining, processing, research and manufacturing. The discussions covered rare earth exploration and associated scientific capabilities, leveraging Odisha’s coastal mineral resources and institutional strengths while linking them to national priorities in atomic minerals, advanced materials and strategic technologies.The roadmap also envisages greater coordination among central and national institutions working in marine sciences, earth sciences, biotechnology, critical minerals and space applications. Such convergence could help create a more integrated research and innovation ecosystem in the state.State’s participation in the forthcoming ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign was also discussed, with coastal districts expected to coordinate with administrations on cleanliness drives and marine-environment awareness.Singh and Patra agreed on the need for continued Centre-state coordination to take the initiatives forward.
