Odisha Govt Focuses On Drainage, Housing, Water Supply And Urban Infrastructure

Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the state government is committed to making cities cleaner and better planned while ensuring the safety, housing and welfare of sanitation workers and their families. He was speaking at the Odisha Urban Conclave-2026 held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The conclave focused on improving urban governance, infrastructure and civic services across the state.

Mahapatra said the government was taking steps to address waterlogging and other urban challenges through improved drainage systems and greater reuse of water. He also said construction of houses for poor and landless families under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana and PMAY 2.0 was being expedited. Efforts were also underway to accelerate Town Planning Schemes and expand access to safe drinking water through round-the-clock supply in urban areas.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee made a departmental presentation covering infrastructure development, urban planning and the performance of urban local bodies. Discussions during the conclave also covered municipal budgets, financial management and ways to increase the revenue of urban local bodies. Officials reviewed expenditure patterns, administrative responsibilities and the performance of poorly performing municipalities and other urban bodies.

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The department also discussed Town Planning Scheme guidelines for Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Samruddha Sahar, the Urban Challenge Fund and infrastructure projects under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana. Officials examined plans for pedestrian-friendly roads, expansion of Ama Bus services through CRUT and restoration of water bodies under AMRUT 2.0. Flood control measures, preparation of project cost estimates and Detailed Project Reports were also part of the technical discussions.

Several welfare and civic programmes were reviewed during the conclave, including PM SVANidhi, shelters for urban homeless people, Sahayata and Sahyog, and Aahaar. The department also placed emphasis on sanitation, used-water management and improving coordination among urban local bodies. Municipal bodies were encouraged to present successful practices that could potentially be adopted in other parts of the state.

The conclave also focused on addressing the challenges faced by underperforming urban local bodies through direct discussions and targeted solutions. The government outlined a broader approach combining infrastructure development, affordable housing, public transport, sanitation and efficient civic administration. The initiatives discussed at the event are aimed at supporting planned urbanisation and creating cleaner, healthier and more citizen-friendly cities across Odisha.

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