Odisha to Fund Premium Odia Restaurants Across Indian Cities Under Vision 2036

Odisha will reimburse up to Rs 5 crore in capital costs and three years of operational expenses for premium Odia restaurants in ten cities. The scheme is part of the state's amended tourism policy under Vision 2036.

Five metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata) get up to five units each. Five tourist destinations (Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Kochi, Jaipur) get up to two units each. Restaurants must reflect Odia cultural identity in design and staffing.

Odia food encompasses temple cuisine from the Jagannath tradition, tribal cuisines from scheduled communities, and distinct coastal, western and southern regional styles. The diversity is largely unknown outside the state, making brand-building a prerequisite for tourism promotion.

Odisha's Vision 2036 framework positions tourism as a catalyst for sustainability, cultural pride and global competitiveness. The culinary scheme is one element alongside food festivals, influencer campaigns and cuisine awards designed to create demand outside the state.

Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan have used state-supported hospitality ventures to build cuisine identity in urban markets. Odisha's government-backed three-year operational subsidy model is more structured than most comparable schemes.