The Odisha Cabinet has approved the development of a dedicated women workers’ hostel at the Kalibeti Industrial Estate in Khurda district, a move aimed at providing safe and well-equipped accommodation for female employees working in the state’s growing textile and apparel sector.
The project will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 210.36 crore (US $22.01 million) and will be funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. The hostel will be executed by the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) and is scheduled for completion within 24 months of its launch.
The decision comes as Odisha continues to attract significant investments in textile and apparel manufacturing. The Kalibeti Industrial Estate currently hosts major industry players, including MAS Holdings, EPIC and Indian Stitches, and is expected to emerge as a major employment hub in the coming years.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that the textile and apparel units operating in the industrial estate are projected to generate more than 20,000 jobs over the next few years. She noted that women account for approximately 60% to 70% of the workforce in the textile and apparel industry, making the provision of dedicated accommodation a key priority for the state government.
The proposed hostel will accommodate up to 4,000 women workers and is intended to enhance safety, provide a supportive living environment, reduce commuting time and lower living costs for employees working in the industrial estate.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
