The Odisha government has identified three potential locations for developing large university townships as part of its plans to create integrated higher education hubs, according to a report by The Hindu. The proposal follows the integrated higher education model announced in the Union Budget 2026–27.
The shortlisted locations are Kamakhyanagar, Puri-Balukhanda, and either Jatni or Tangi. Each proposed township is expected to require a contiguous land parcel of around 1,000 acres and would preferably be located near industrial and logistics corridors.
The proposed university townships are planned under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each development would combine universities, research centres, skill institutions and residential facilities within a common campus. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be responsible for managing and developing the township.
The state government is also considering different academic and industry themes for the proposed locations. One possible model would focus on industry-linked education, allowing universities and institutions to work closely with businesses on research, employment-oriented skills and other academic programmes.
Another proposed focus is mining and allied disciplines, which could leverage Odisha’s mineral resources and existing industrial base. Research, innovation, incubation and Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are expected to form an important part of the proposed developments.
Preliminary plans indicate that a single university township could accommodate up to eight new universities, with each university allocated approximately 25 acres. The institutions would also have access to shared infrastructure and common facilities across the larger township.
The Higher Education Department is expected to examine the feasibility of developing similar university townships in and around Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput, along with other suitable locations across the state.
The proposed model could create larger academic clusters by bringing education, research, skill development and residential infrastructure within a single planned development. The proximity to industrial and logistics corridors could also support stronger connections between universities and businesses.
The initiative is part of Odisha’s broader efforts to expand higher education infrastructure and create facilities that support research, innovation and industry-oriented learning. Further decisions on land parcels, institutional participation, development models and the specific academic focus of each township are expected as the state advances the proposal.
