May 25: The Odisha government has laid the foundation stone for a modern 450-seat auditorium at the State Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (State Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Odisha) in Bhubaneswar, with an estimated investment of ₹32 crore.
The project aims to enhance capacity-building infrastructure for Panchayati Raj institutions and strengthen training programmes related to rural development and grassroots governance.
The foundation stone was laid by Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik in the presence of senior officials from the department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the new facility will serve as a key centre for training elected representatives, government officials, and stakeholders involved in rural development programmes. He highlighted that strengthening villages is central to Odisha’s development vision.
Officials said the auditorium will be used for workshops, seminars, and conferences on topics such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level, governance reforms, digital administration, women’s leadership, social inclusion, water and sanitation, and livelihood initiatives.
The facility will also be equipped with modern audio-visual systems, exhibition spaces, and training infrastructure to support interactive learning and knowledge sharing.
Authorities noted that the project is expected to improve coordination among grassroots representatives, administrative bodies, and development experts, ultimately strengthening governance delivery at the village level.
