Odisha Workshop Calls for 100-Year Vision in Infrastructure Planning
Bhubaneswar, September 19, 2026: A national-level workshop in Bhubaneswar has called for a major shift towards long-term, resilient and technology-driven infrastructure planning, with experts stressing that buildings and public infrastructure should be designed to remain safe and functional for generations.
The workshop, titled “Building Future Bharat with NBCS-2026,” was organised jointly by the Odisha State Chapter of the Indian Buildings Congress (IBC) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The event brought together engineers, technical experts and representatives from government departments and institutions to discuss the future of building standards and construction practices.
Minister Stresses Century-Long Planning
Addressing the valedictory session as the chief guest, Odisha Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan emphasised the importance of adopting a long-term approach to infrastructure development.
He said infrastructure projects should not be planned only around immediate requirements. Instead, their design and construction should consider a 100-year perspective, particularly in terms of structural strength, public safety, durability and resilience against disasters.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of completing infrastructure projects within shorter timeframes while maintaining quality standards. He encouraged stakeholders to explore environmentally responsible construction methods, alternative building materials and modern technological solutions.
According to the recommendations discussed during the workshop, technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT)-based building monitoring and maintenance systems could play an increasingly important role in managing infrastructure throughout its operational life.
Focus on Safety and Disaster Resilience
A significant part of the workshop was devoted to improving the safety and resilience of buildings. Experts discussed issues related to construction safety, fire prevention, disaster preparedness and sustainable construction.
The discussions reflected the growing need to ensure that infrastructure can withstand changing environmental conditions and different types of natural and man-made risks.
Participants also emphasised that building safety should be considered throughout the entire life cycle of a structure rather than only during its construction.
Structural Audits Proposed for Older Buildings
One of the key recommendations emerging from the workshop was the need for structural audits of buildings that are more than 10 years old.
Regular assessments could help identify structural weaknesses at an early stage and allow necessary repairs or strengthening measures to be undertaken before problems become more serious.
However, the workshop also identified a shortage of adequately trained and licensed structural auditors in different sectors. Participants therefore called for greater investment in professional training, certification and capacity-building programmes.
Integrated Recommendations Presented
Engineer Manoranjan Mishra, Member of the Governing Council of the Indian Buildings Congress, presented the integrated policy recommendations developed during the seminar to the state administration.
The recommendations covered several aspects of infrastructure development, including building safety, construction quality, sustainability, disaster resilience and the adoption of modern technologies.
Participants also highlighted the importance of continuous awareness campaigns so that engineers, contractors, institutions and other stakeholders remain familiar with updated building standards and their practical implementation.
Green Construction and New Technologies
The workshop also placed emphasis on environmentally sustainable construction.
Experts discussed the potential role of alternative construction materials and greener building practices in reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure projects. The use of technology-based systems for monitoring and maintaining buildings was also identified as an important component of future infrastructure management.
The discussions suggested that future construction will increasingly require a balance between durability, affordability, environmental responsibility, technological innovation and public safety.
Stakeholders Discuss Future of NBCS-2026
The workshop featured participation from several senior technical professionals, including NBCS Committee Chairman Engineer Vasudevan Suresh, former Deputy Director General (Standardisation) Engineer Sanjay Pant, Director of Civil Engineering and Head of the NBC Unit Engineer Arun Kumar S., and Chairman of the IBC Odisha State Chapter Engineer Bijay Chandra Tripathy.
Engineers and representatives from different departments and institutions also participated in the discussions.
The event concluded with an emphasis on coordinated action among government agencies, engineers, standards organisations and other stakeholders to translate updated building standards into practical improvements on the ground.
The recommendations from the workshop underline a broader vision for infrastructure development in Odisha and across India—one that places greater emphasis on long-term durability, safety, disaster preparedness, sustainability and technological innovation.
As cities expand and infrastructure requirements increase, the discussions at the Bhubaneswar workshop highlighted the importance of designing today’s buildings and public assets with the challenges of future decades in mind.
