The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with Development Alternatives and with support from Indian Metal and Ferro Alloys (IMFA), successfully organized a one-day workshop on “Mainstreaming Low-Carbon Building Materials to Transform the Built Environment in Odisha.” The event was held as the state moves rapidly toward urban expansion and sustainable infrastructure goals.

Addressing the inaugural session, Smt. Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, underscored the responsibility of engineers and policymakers in ensuring environmentally conscious growth. She said, “Whatever we do in construction must consciously contribute to a healthier environment. We can only progress if we believe we can — and ensure our development is greener and eco-friendly.” She reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing the use of sustainable materials such as Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste products through supportive regulations, capacity building, and entrepreneurship.

Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, emphasized the growing need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government. He noted, “There is a growing need for stronger connectivity so that the knowledge created in higher educational institutions can rapidly translate into tangible societal impact. Materials are a critical area of national development, and with Odisha’s scale of infrastructure growth, appropriate building materials are essential to manage emissions. IIT Bhubaneswar is committed to contributing meaningfully to this collaboration and emerging as a national hub for materials-oriented innovation.”

In his special address, Prof. Manu Santhanam of IIT Madras highlighted India’s dependence on finite natural resources and called for bold policy measures. “We must extend the life of natural resources and harness by-products and recycled materials effectively. The scientific evidence is clear — now is the time for bold steps to utilize alternative materials and make a difference on the ground,” he said. Prof. Santhanam added that Odisha, with its rich natural and industrial resources, is well-positioned to lead this transition.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Dinakar Pasla, Dean (Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy), IIT Bhubaneswar, stated, “As Odisha grows rapidly, we must ensure that our infrastructure development aligns with sustainability goals. Collaboration between academia and industry can accelerate the adoption of climate-resilient materials.”

Ms. Devapriya De Munshi from Development Alternatives highlighted the importance of behavioral change and policy reforms in enabling sustainable construction practices.

A technical report titled “Pathways for Decarbonization in the Built Environment of India”—providing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission projections for Odisha’s built environment along with actionable recommendations—was unveiled during the event.

The workshop featured expert-led sessions on Decarbonizing Odisha’s Built Environment; Innovations in Low-Carbon Materials such as LC3 cement, sintered aggregates, biomass-based concrete, and unfired bricks; C&D Waste Valorization and Circular Economy Practices; Sustainable Road Infrastructure Solutions; and Technical Viability, Standards, and Market Adoption Challenges. Experts from IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Madras, KIIT Bhubaneswar, IMFA, and waste-management organizations from Hyderabad and Thane participated in the deliberations.

A panel discussion in the concluding session generated actionable insights to strengthen enabling policies, enhance industry collaboration, and bridge research-to-practice gaps.

Dr. Umesh Chandra Sahoo, Associate Professor, School of Infrastructure, IIT Bhubaneswar, proposed the vote of thanks.

Participants collectively agreed that enabling policies, research-driven implementation, and green entrepreneurship will be key to accelerating the adoption of low-carbon building materials across Odisha.