Minister Suresh Pujari Inaurugates Disaster Management Training Hostel ‘Surakshya’ at SIDR

Bhubaneswar, 21 August 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening Odisha’s disaster preparedness and institutional capacity, Hon’ble Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari today inaugurated the newly constructed Disaster Management Training Hostel ‘Surakshya’ at the premises of the Revenue Officers’ Training Institute (ROTI), Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar.

 The facility has been developed under the State Institute of Disaster Resilience (SIDR) of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). On the occasion, the Minister also laid the foundation stones for two proposed residential facilities, ‘Sajag’ and ‘Sankalp’, further expanding the state’s infrastructure for disaster management training and capacity building.

 

 The inauguration marks an important milestone in Odisha’s efforts to develop a modern, integrated ecosystem for disaster management training, knowledge exchange and institutional preparedness. Shri Pujari, who attended the programme as the Chief Guest, also planted saplings, highlighting the importance of sustainable and resilient development.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Pujari said that the new hostel is a significant milestone in strengthening residential and training infrastructure at SIDR and would further contribute to enhancing Odisha’s disaster management system.

 

Since the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, Odisha has continuously strengthened its disaster management architecture, evolving from a response-oriented approach towards a comprehensive framework encompassing preparedness, mitigation, capacity building and resilience. SIDR is being developed as a dedicated centre of excellence for advanced training, capacity building, research and knowledge exchange in disaster management.

The ‘Surakshya’ Hostel comprises 107 twin-sharing rooms, including 27 air-conditioned rooms, along with seven specially designated guest rooms. The facility also includes a dining hall and other essential amenities. It will provide quality residential accommodation for senior government officials, faculty members, experts and participants attending national and international training programmes, workshops, conferences and other capacity-building initiatives at SIDR.

The facility will also provide dedicated residential accommodation for personnel of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), supporting continuous training, capacity building and operational readiness of the force and further strengthening Odisha’s rapid response capabilities.

The proposed ‘Sajag’ and ‘Sankalp’ hostels are envisaged as modern training and residential facilities equipped with amenities such as conference halls, gymnasiums, dining halls and libraries. Their development will further enhance SIDR’s capacity to host specialised and high-level programmes.

During the programme, Shri Pujari also appreciated the important role played by the media and journalists in disaster management, particularly in disseminating timely information and creating public awareness during emergencies. He emphasised the need for continued coordination between the government and the media fraternity to strengthen disaster communication and public preparedness.

Special Relief Commissioner Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and senior officials of OSDMA were present on the occasion.

With the inauguration of ‘Surakshya’ and the commencement of work towards additional residential and training facilities, Odisha continues to translate the lessons learned from past disasters into stronger institutional capacity, preparedness and resilience for the future.