Bhubaneswar, May 23: A high-level meeting was held recently to discuss the establishment of handloom hubs and parks in Cuttack, Bargarh, and Jajpur districts. The meeting was chaired by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Construction, and included detailed discussions on the development of these facilities across the three districts.
In Cuttack, plans were discussed to set up an AI- and blockchain-enabled handloom hub in Abhimanpur at an estimated cost of ₹13.51 crore on a 2.77-acre site. The hub will feature an administrative office, guest house, display shop, garment weaving center, sales stalls, and a warehouse. The initiative aims to promote local handloom, handicrafts, and terracotta products while providing employment opportunities to the local population.
Similarly, Bargarh district is set to receive a handloom and garment park with a budget of ₹20 crore. Located on 9.35 acres in Gobindpur Mauja, the park will cater to the western Odisha regions of Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Balangir. The facility will use high-quality sewing machines, along with long warping, winding, and weaving operations, enabling over 300 artisans to produce various garments. Additionally, a weavers’ market is planned in Behera Balijuri spanning 29.12 acres at an estimated cost of ₹27.57 crore. The market will feature 2,000 stalls for displaying and selling handloom products, along with dedicated roads, parking, and food stall arrangements to support logistics.
In Jajpur, an AI- and blockchain-supported handloom hub is planned in Gopalpur. Spanning approximately 2 acres at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore, the hub will focus on silk sarees, garments, and home decor products while promoting tourism. The facility will include production areas, supply chain and marketing infrastructure, training programs, independent stalls, an administrative office, and an “Resham Odisha” outlet to promote local textiles.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Commissioners of Handloom, Weaving, and Handicraft Departments; Secretary Poonam Tapas Kumar; Tourism Department Commissioner; Secretary Balwant Singh; Independent Secretary L.K. Padi; Additional Secretary Vikramaditya Barik; Additional Director (Silk) Surya Narayan Pattanaik; and Ashutosh Mohanty, Deputy Director (Weaving & Handicrafts).
Officials emphasized that these initiatives will not only modernize handloom infrastructure but also provide a significant boost to local employment, skill development, and tourism in Odisha.
