Modi Opens RBI Tech Hub as Bhubaneswar Hosts Urban Planning Summit
Bhubaneswar hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 25, 2026, for the inauguration of two key Reserve Bank of India facilities—a new Data Centre and a Cybersecurity Training Institute—marking a significant infrastructure milestone for Eastern India. The visit coincided with the second National Urban Conclave held in the city, where Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off 25 electric buses under the central PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik unveiled a specially commissioned sculpture. The same week also saw Odisha's hospitality sector receive national recognition at the 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave, and the state government announced plans for a digital overhaul of its land and property registration system.
🗳️ PM Modi Inaugurates RBI Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhubaneswar on October 25, 2026, to inaugurate two new facilities established by the Reserve Bank of India: a Data Centre and a Cybersecurity Training Institute. At the inauguration ceremony, Modi highlighted the transformation of India's banking sector since 2014, drawing attention to how government financial schemes have been empowering entrepreneurs, street vendors, artisans, and rural women by improving access to formal banking services. He also framed the new RBI facilities in the context of Eastern India's emerging role as a growth engine for India's development agenda, Viksit Bharat. According to the official government website narendramodi.in, the event positioned Bhubaneswar and Odisha as strategically important nodes in India's expanding digital financial infrastructure. The establishment of a data centre in Bhubaneswar is expected to strengthen the operational resilience of the banking system in Eastern India, while the Cybersecurity Training Institute is designed to develop skilled manpower in the growing and critical field of financial cybersecurity. The inauguration of both facilities in a single visit signals the central government's intent to accelerate investment in Odisha's infrastructure and human capital. [1]
🗳️ Odisha CM Flags Off 25 Electric Buses at National Urban Conclave
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off 25 electric buses under the Centre's PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the opening session of the second National Urban Conclave. The two-day event, which ran from October 24 to 25, was convened by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Odisha state government, with principal sponsorship from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and NBCC. The conclave brought together government officials, urban planners, and industry representatives to discuss challenges facing India's cities and pathways to improved urban development. Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra attended the inaugural proceedings alongside delegates spanning municipal administration, urban planning, civil engineering, and infrastructure finance. The National Institute of Urban Affairs also provided institutional support. At the launch ceremony, Chief Minister Majhi additionally unveiled a specialised sand art sculpture created by internationally renowned Odisha artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, blending civic celebration with the state's distinctive artistic traditions. The new electric bus fleet is intended to improve urban transit in Bhubaneswar as part of a wider shift toward zero-emission public transport. [4]
🤝 Captain Rahul Bali Receives Honours at 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave
The 7th Odisha Tourism Conclave 2026, held in Bhubaneswar, featured a formal recognition ceremony in which Captain Rahul Bali was honoured for his contributions to the state's tourism and hospitality sector, according to ThePrint. The annual Odisha Tourism Conclave serves as a flagship platform for the state to celebrate achievements in tourism, recognise industry leaders, and chart strategies for growing Odisha's visitor economy. Bhubaneswar, as the state capital and a major cultural and historical destination in its own right, regularly hosts the event. The recognition of Captain Rahul Bali reflects the conclave's tradition of honouring figures who have made meaningful contributions to positioning Odisha as a tourism destination of national and international significance. Odisha's tourism sector encompasses the heritage temples of Puri and Bhubaneswar, the natural landscapes of Chilika Lake and the Eastern Ghats, and the coastal beaches of Puri and Konark, alongside its distinctive tribal culture and craft traditions. Awards ceremonies at conclaves of this kind help build visibility for the sector and encourage further investment and professional development within it. The event at Bhubaneswar forms part of the city's growing calendar of large-scale professional conferences and government-industry summits. [3]
🗳️ Odisha Plans Digital Overhaul of Land and Property Registration System
Odisha is planning a comprehensive digital overhaul of its land and property registration system, according to The Statesman. The planned reform aims to bring technology-driven transparency and efficiency to a process that is central to real estate transactions, infrastructure planning, and legal property rights for residents and businesses across the state. Land registration modernisation has become a priority for several Indian state governments under the broader Digital India initiative, which seeks to eliminate paper-based processes and reduce the scope for delays or corruption in property dealings. The Odisha government's move to revamp its registration system aligns with these national priorities around land governance and digital service delivery. A fully digitised system is expected to reduce transaction costs and processing times for homebuyers, businesses, and government agencies undertaking infrastructure projects across the state, including in and around Bhubaneswar where urban expansion has accelerated demand for efficient property registration. Specific details about the technology platform, timelines, and institutional implementation were expected to emerge from planning discussions as the government finalised its approach. The announcement adds to a series of digital governance reforms the Odisha administration has been pursuing across multiple sectors. [6]
Sources: [1] NarendraModi.in · [4] Swarajya · [3] ThePrint · [6] The Statesman