Kusunpur village in Kendrapada district of Odisha is set to become the state’s first smart village under a mission-mode initiative launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The project marks a significant step towards technology-driven, sustainable rural development, aligned with the vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.”
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
| Village | Kusunpur |
| District | Kendrapada, Odisha |
| Initiative By | CSIR (under Ministry of Science & Technology) |
| Objective | Smart village development using scientific solutions |
| Approach | Mission-mode, multi-institutional collaboration |
| Vision Alignment | Viksit Bharat @ 2047 |
Objectives of Initiative
- Introduce modern technologies and scientific innovations in rural areas
- Improve quality of life and infrastructure
- Promote sustainable and resilient development
- Enable self-reliance in rural communities
- Create a replicable model for other villages in India
Implementation Framework
- Collaboration between:
- CSIR research institutions
- Local administration
- Implementation partners
- Focus on practical, scalable, and field-based solutions
- Mission-mode execution ensuring multi-sectoral integration
Infrastructure and Development Interventions
- Development of:
- Climate-resilient buildings
- Schools and Anganwadi centres
- Community toilets
- Comprehensive village planning supported by CSIR institutions
- Construction of multipurpose cyclone shelter
Role of CSIR Institutions
| Institution | Contribution |
| CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee | Climate-resilient infrastructure, village planning, schools, anganwadi, sanitation |
| CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar | Materials and resource-based solutions |
| CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI) | Renewable energy, clean cooking fuel, safe drinking water |
| CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) | Solar-sharing agrivoltaics |
| CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC) | Cyclone-resilient structures, multipurpose shelter |
| CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) | Skill development in leather products and ethnic textiles |
Key Technological Interventions
1. Renewable Energy & Sustainability
- Promotion of:
- Renewable energy solutions
- Clean cooking fuel
- Safe drinking water technologies
2. Agrivoltaics (Innovative Concept)
- Introduction of solar-sharing agrivoltaics
- Combines:
- Agriculture
- Solar power generation
- Benefits:
- Dual land use
- Increased farmer income
- Sustainable energy generation
3. Climate Resilience
- Construction of:
- Cyclone-resistant infrastructure
- Disaster-resilient buildings
Livelihood and Skill Development
- Training in:
- Leather products (including innovative use of fish/chicken feet leather)
- Odisha’s ethnic textiles
- Promotes:
- Rural entrepreneurship
- Employment generation
- Skill diversification
Rural Empowerment and Impact
- Enhances:
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbharta)
- Agricultural productivity
- Access to clean energy and water
- Improves:
- Living standards
- Disaster resilience
- Acts as:
- A model smart village for replication across India
Static Facts
CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
| Feature | Details |
| Established | 1942 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Nature | India’s largest R&D organisation |
| Role | Scientific research and industrial innovation |
Kendrapada District (Odisha)
- Located in coastal Odisha
- Prone to:
- Cyclones
- Flooding
- Known for:
- Bhitarkanika National Park (mangrove ecosystem)
Smart Village Concept
- Focuses on:
- Technology-enabled rural development
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Digital and energy access
- Differs from Smart Cities:
- Focus on rural resilience and inclusivity
Agrivoltaics
- Integration of:
- Solar panels with agricultural land
- Benefits:
- Efficient land utilization
- Reduced water evaporation
- Increased farmer income
Viksit Bharat @ 2047
- Vision to make India a:
- Developed nation by 2047
- Focus areas:
- Infrastructure
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Inclusive growth