What structural challenges are required to be addressed to achieve Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat as per the vision document of the Government?

📝Model Answer

Introduction

The "Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat" vision document, launched in June 2025, is Odisha’s roadmap to become a developed state by 2036 (its centenary of formation) and align with a developed India by 2047. It envisions transforming Odisha into a USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047, but realising this aspiration requires addressing several deep-rooted structural challenges.

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Key Facets of Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat

1. Six guiding pillars — The vision rests on rural empowerment, people-first development, legacy and pride, prosperity for all, technology leadership, and citizen-centric governance.
2. "36-for-36" agenda — A set of 36 high-impact initiatives designed to drive transformative change by the state’s centenary year, 2036.
3. Rapid urbanisation as a growth engine — Targeting 40% urbanisation by 2036 and 60% by 2047 from the current 17%, including a planned metropolitan region around Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Paradip–Puri.
4. Economic transformation — Scaling the state economy nearly tenfold to USD 1.5 trillion by 2047 through industry, mining and value-added manufacturing.
5. Agricultural prosperity — Bringing all cultivable areas under irrigation to raise agricultural productivity and farmers’ income.
6. Skilling and global employability — Equipping youth via the World Skill Centre with globally certified skills for placement in international markets.
7. Inclusive, participatory development — A comprehensive document drawn from suggestions of over 3,20,000 citizens analysed using AI, emphasising sustainability and social wellness.

Structural Challenges to be Addressed

1. Low urbanisation base — Moving from 17% to 40% urbanisation in just over a decade demands massive urban infrastructure, planning capacity and managed migration.
2. High poverty and regional disparity — Persistent gaps between coastal Odisha and the KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) tribal hinterland challenge balanced, inclusive growth.
3. Over-dependence on the primary sector — The economy leans heavily on mining and agriculture, with weak manufacturing and a narrow value-addition base.
4. Industrial concentration and weak MSMEs — Growth is clustered in a few mineral belts, while MSMEs face financing hurdles, market access issues and regulatory bottlenecks.
5. Skill mismatch and human capital deficit — Gaps in education quality, health outcomes and industry-aligned skilling limit employability and productivity.
6. Infrastructure deficits — Inadequate irrigation, logistics, power and digital connectivity, especially in rural and tribal regions, constrain growth.
7. Vulnerability to climate and disasters — As a cyclone- and flood-prone coastal state, recurring disasters threaten assets, agriculture and long-term planning.
8. Agrarian distress — Low irrigation coverage, fragmented landholdings and dependence on monsoons keep farm incomes and productivity low.
9. Governance and implementation capacity — Bridging the gap between ambitious targets and on-ground delivery requires administrative reform, monitoring and inter-departmental convergence.
10. Resource mobilisation and investment gap — Financing a tenfold economic expansion needs sustained private investment, fiscal prudence and improved ease of doing business.
11. Demographic and out-migration pressures — Outflow of labour to other states reflects local employment gaps that must be reversed.
12. Sustainability versus extraction trade-off — Reconciling mineral-led growth with ecological protection, forest rights and tribal welfare remains a core tension.

Conclusion