The Odisha Cabinet has approved a landmark scheme titled ‘Land Bank for Hospitality Infrastructure’, aimed at creating a robust foundation for tourism-led economic growth and attracting large-scale investments in the hospitality sector across the state.
The initiative seeks to address one of the key challenges facing tourism infrastructure development, the lack of readily available, contiguous and investment-ready land parcels for hospitality projects. To bridge this gap, the state government will establish a dedicated Tourism Land Bank under the Department of Tourism.
According to an official statement, “Tourism has emerged as one of the key drivers of economic development, employment generation and regional prosperity. Odisha, endowed with rich natural beauty, cultural heritage, spiritual destinations, wildlife resources and coastal attractions, has set an ambitious vision under Viksit Odisha 2036 and 2047 to position itself among the leading eco and cultural tourism destinations in India and Asia.”
Under the scheme, around 5,500 acres of government and private land will be identified and developed across major tourism destinations including Chilika, Konark, Puri (Shamuka), Dhauli, Hirakud, Satkosia, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Deomali, the Buddhist Circuit, Jiranga, Talsari and Tampara-Aryapalli. Additional destinations may be included based on tourism potential and future development requirements.
The scheme will be implemented over five years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 with an annual allocation of ₹300 crore, resulting in a total investment of ₹1,500 crore.
The government stated that the Tourism Land Bank will support destination-level master planning while providing investors access to infrastructure-ready land parcels, thereby reducing project gestation periods and improving ease of doing business.
“The initiative is expected to encourage investments in hotels, resorts, convention centres, eco-tourism projects, wellness retreats, recreational facilities and other tourism-related infrastructure,” the statement noted.
Designed as a statewide intervention, the scheme is expected to promote balanced regional development by supporting emerging tourism destinations and creating new economic opportunities in rural and remote areas. The government believes the initiative will generate significant employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities, artisans, tourism service providers, entrepreneurs and youth.
The Department of Tourism will serve as the nodal agency for implementation in coordination with IDCO, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, the General Administration & Public Grievance Department and other relevant agencies.
Highlighting the long-term objective of the initiative, the government stated, “By creating a structured land bank of investment-ready land and modern tourism infrastructure, the state endeavours to attract more private investment in the tourism sector, significantly increase tourist footfalls, expand quality accommodation capacity, strengthen local economies and establish Odisha as one of Asia’s premier tourism destinations.”
