Naveen seeks land to set up Odisha Bhawan at Bengaluru

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Monday urged his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah to provide one acre of land to set up an Odisha Bhawan at Bengaluru, where a large number of Odias are residing.

In a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister, Patnaik said nearly 5 lakh Odia residents are in Bengaluru engaged in sectors like Information Technology, Hospitality Industries and allied areas with a valuable contribution to the State’s economy.

There has been an improvement in connectivity between both the cities with direct flights and a number of trains permitting greater travel and closer association, he added.

Expressing the state government decision to establish an Odisha Bhawan, Naveen urged the Karnataka Chief Minister to provide one acre of land at a prime location of the city preferably in North Bengaluru around Yellahanka or Hebbal areas for the creation of an appropriate facility.

“Odisha Bhawan, a State government facility for accommodation, will also serve as a meeting point for Odias in Bengaluru city. Like other Bhawan, this will become a nerve centre for Odisha’s art, craft, culture and cuisine,” the Odisha Chief Minister said.