Dharmendra Pradhan lays foundation for ₹480 cr net‑zero campus at Central University of Odisha

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan laid the foundation stone for a ₹479.92 crore “net-zero” infrastructure project at the Central University of Odisha’s Sunabeda campus in Koraput on July 5.

The initiative—designed to be environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced—will include multi-storey academic blocks, ten modern hostels, a 1,200-seat auditorium, sports complex, health centre, international guest house, shopping centre, gymnasium and officers’ quarters.

Pradhan also inaugurated several newly completed facilities, including the main academic building, health centre, vice-chancellor’s residence, and staff quarters.

He emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to reducing educational disparities and supporting tribal and regional development in the Eastern Ghats region.

Six Memorandums of Understanding were signed at the event, strengthening academic cooperation between CUO and premier institutions such as IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, NISER Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur, and the Central Sanskrit University.

Representatives from both state and central governments—including Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Koraput MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka, and senior CUO officials—were present alongside students and local dignitaries.

The net-zero campus is being built to green building standards, integrating renewable energy sources and resilient infrastructure to significantly reduce the institution’s carbon footprint.

This strategic investment supports quality education, sustainability, and regional growth in one of Odisha’s most underserved areas.