Odisha Approves ₹176.83 Crore Disaster Recovery Data Centre in Keonjhar

The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has given the green light for the construction of the Odisha State Data Centre (OSDC) at Keonjhar. The new disaster recovery-cum-data centre will be developed on the south campus of Dharanidhar University with a budget set at ₹176.83 crore.

This facility will act as a backup hub, geographically separate from the main data centre in Bhubaneswar. Its primary role will be to ensure the continuity and quick restoration of critical state government digital services if the primary centre faces any disruption caused by technical failures, cyber threats, natural calamities, or other emergencies.

Keonjhar, renowned for its vast mineral resources including iron ore, manganese, chromite, bauxite, and quartzite, is traditionally recognized for its mining and mineral industries. Establishing such a high-profile digital infrastructure project in this district broadens its industrial landscape by adding a significant technological dimension. This move also aligns with the chief minister’s connection to the district, further highlighting its importance.

The Odisha State Data Centre currently serves as the backbone of the state's digital governance, supporting a multitude of government-to-government (G2G), government-to-business (G2B), and government-to-citizen (G2C) services. Hosting vital applications, databases, and common platforms, this infrastructure facilitates the smooth operation of administrative functions and public service delivery.

The new disaster recovery centre will feature independent systems for power, cooling, connectivity, computing, storage, and cybersecurity. This independence ensures the centre can operate autonomously in case the primary data centre is compromised. It will also include secure data replication and centralized monitoring to maintain continuous oversight and protection.

Regular disaster recovery drills are planned to test and confirm the centre’s readiness to restore applications and data promptly during emergencies. This proactive approach aims to minimize downtime and service interruptions for citizens and government departments.

The total project cost is estimated at ₹176.83 crore, with ₹154 crore allocated for capital expenses and ₹22.83 crore reserved for operational costs over the next five years. Funding will primarily come from the Fifth State Finance Commission’s grant-in-aid, contributing ₹162.83 crore, while the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) will cover the remaining costs from the State Data Centre maintenance budget under the Electronics and Information Technology Department.

As government operations increasingly depend on digital systems for managing records, conducting transactions, and delivering services, the ability to recover from data loss or system failures is critical. This new facility is expected to enhance Odisha’s capacity to manage such risks and reinforce the resilience of its digital infrastructure.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized the significance of the project, stating that it will enable the restoration of government services within the approved recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO). She noted that the centre will provide a geographically independent recovery option, strengthening the state’s preparedness to sustain secure and reliable services during any disaster or major disruption.

Following a competitive tendering process, Krystal Integrated Services Limited was selected as the lowest bidder to execute the project. The Cabinet has approved awarding the contract to the company. The construction and implementation phase is scheduled to be completed within nine months. After commissioning, Krystal Integrated Services will also handle the operation and maintenance of the facility for five years from the date it goes live.

This initiative represents a strategic investment in Odisha’s digital governance framework, enhancing the state's ability to protect its digital assets and maintain uninterrupted service delivery for the public. It marks a key step forward in building a disaster-resilient digital infrastructure in a mineral-rich district with rising technological importance.