Bhubaneswar, April 01: In a significant step toward enhancing international connectivity for Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a new Visa Application Centre operated by VFS Global in Bhubaneswar today.

The centre has been set up at the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Bus Terminal, marking a major milestone in bringing international visa services closer to the people of the state.

The Chief Minister stated that the establishment of the visa application centre fulfills a long-standing demand of the people of Odisha.

He noted that the state government had sought cooperation from the central government for this initiative, and with its support, the facility has now become operational.

He described the centre as a milestone in providing international visa services and said it would significantly strengthen Odisha’s global connectivity framework.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the new facility would enhance Odisha’s connection with the rest of the world while reflecting the state government’s commitment to delivering citizen-centric services.

He added that the centre would make foreign travel more convenient, particularly for young professionals, and would also contribute to the growth of tourism, industrial development, and stronger international relations.

He further pointed out that due to increasing industrialization and economic activities in the state, there had been a growing need for a visa application centre in Odisha. Earlier, residents had to travel to cities like Kolkata and Hyderabad to apply for visas, which often caused inconvenience. With the opening of this centre in Bhubaneswar, applicants can now access services more easily and efficiently within the state.

The Odisha government has provided around 3,000 square feet of space for the facility within the Baramunda bus terminal. In its initial phase, the centre will offer visa services for countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Estonia, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, Japan, Morocco and Egypt, with plans to expand services to more countries in the future.

VFS Global is a leading global technology services provider that supports governments and diplomatic missions in visa, passport, and consular services.