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Bhubaneswar, November 11: In a major initiative to strengthen water resources management and build technical expertise in the state, the Odisha government has approved Rs 20 crore for upgrading and strengthening the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), Odisha, as a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
The project will be implemented during the financial years 2026–27 and 2027–28, with a focus on modernising infrastructure, enhancing professional skills and promoting scientific and sustainable approaches to water management.
WALMI, which has been playing a significant role in technical education, professional training and capacity-building in the water management sector for the past four decades, will undergo a major infrastructure transformation under the initiative.
The proposed upgradation includes smart digital classrooms, modern training facilities, improved residential accommodation, renovated hostels, an auditorium and advanced conference facilities. These facilities are expected to provide a better environment for specialised training, research and knowledge exchange.
A key component of the initiative will be the professional development of engineers working in the Department of Water Resources, which has a sanctioned strength of 5,235 engineering positions. Structured induction programmes for newly recruited engineers and specialised training modules will be introduced in areas such as modern irrigation technologies, flood management, water-use efficiency and climate resilience.
The institute will also strengthen its research and knowledge-sharing capabilities through collaborations with premier institutions, including IISc Bengaluru, IIT Roorkee, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, NIOT Chennai and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The initiative will also extend capacity-building support to more than 41,000 Pani Panchayats across Odisha. Training programmes will focus on participatory irrigation management, water budgeting and equitable distribution of water resources.
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