New Delhi: The Centre will expand rare earth elements exploration in Odisha under the ‘Rare Earth Corridors’ announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said Tuesday after meeting his Odisha counterpart Krushna Chandra Patra.
The two ministers discussed integrating Odisha’s science and technology initiatives into a broader roadmap covering rare earths, marine sciences, biotechnology and space research, according to a press release from the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
“The Eastern Coastal Region can play a much larger role in India’s emerging nuclear and marine roadmap, with Odisha well placed to contribute through coordinated efforts,” Singh said.
The Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, was officially expanded to add another 50 acres to its existing 8 acres. After this expansion, the Union government said, Odisha would be able to contribute to important biotechnology research projects such as the Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment or the Bio-E3 Project.
Marine resources, space research
The ministers also discussed the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), which was launched last August by the state government. This initiative brings together seven of Odisha’s major research institutions, including IIT Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, Fakir Mohan University, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur, and ILS Bhubaneshwar.
Given the state’s vast coastline, the state government said that its coastal and marine resources remain underexplored. Support from the Union Ministries of Earth Sciences and Science and Technology will allow the state’s institutes to carry out further research in marine sciences and resource extraction.
This would also fit with India’s Deep Ocean Mission, as well as Odisha’s own Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026-2036), which is aimed at unlocking offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential and developing stronger value chains around the marine economy.
Finally, Patra brought up Odisha’s Space Applications Centre (ORSAC), a government institution established in 1984 at Bhubaneshwar. It runs satellite-based communication and earth observation programmes for the state’s agricultural, minerals, and data sectors.
During the meeting, Patra mentioned to Singh the possibility of integrating the ORSAC with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He also made a case for developing a space research and manufacturing facility in the state, in a public-private partnership.
“Dr Jitendra Singh and Shri Krushna Chandra Patra agreed on the importance of continued Centre-State coordination for taking these initiatives forward,” said the press release.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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