THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 29, 2026

Emphasising accountability, financial sustainability, technology-driven governance, and citizen-centric urban development, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, on Friday chaired a comprehensive Review Conference of Commissioners and Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Odisha through virtual mode. The high-level conference reviewed the progress of key urban governance initiatives, municipal service delivery, infrastructure development, sanitation, housing, water supply, and implementation of flagship urban programmes, while outlining a transformative roadmap for sustainable and resilient urban growth across the State.

The conference reviewed urban governance, municipal service delivery, financial management, infrastructure development, sanitation, housing, water supply, and implementation of key urban flagship programmes across the State. Senior officials of the Department, WATCO, PHEO, CRUT, PMAY-U, OUHM, and allied agencies participated in the day-long review.

During the meeting, Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, joined through video conferencing and issued several strategic directives aimed at strengthening urban governance and administrative accountability. Stressing proactive urban management, the Minister directed ULBs to undertake immediate drainage cleaning and intensified sanitation measures to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon season.

He further instructed officials to prepare a uniform design blueprint for welcome gates in all newly declared Notified Area Councils (NACs) to establish a distinct urban identity. Emphasising financial sustainability, Dr. Mahapatra advised ULBs to reduce dependence on conventional revenue sources and prepare action plans for achieving at least 50 percent self-sustainability through innovative revenue-generation mechanisms.

To enhance institutional accountability and administrative efficiency, the Minister also directed immediate implementation of a digitized personnel database and mandatory monthly progress reporting systems for all ULB staff.

In her inaugural address, ACS Padhee outlined a transformative vision for Odisha’s urban future and stressed the importance of responsive, transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric governance. She called for convergence of sanitation, waste management, housing, water supply, green infrastructure, and Smart City initiatives under an integrated urban development framework aligned with Odisha’s long-term growth vision.

Highlighting new opportunities under the Government of India’s Urban Challenge Fund with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, she urged ULBs to strengthen project preparedness, innovation, and institutional capacity to secure competitive funding support. She also advised urban bodies to explore institutional finance, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, and credit-linked financing mechanisms for accelerating infrastructure development.

Reviewing municipal administration, Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, discussed revenue augmentation measures, assessment systems, and performance report cards of ULBs. Discussions also focused on improving own-source revenue generation and strengthening financial sustainability. The importance of waterbody rejuvenation and urban ecological restoration was also highlighted.

A presentation on Mukhyamantri Sahari Vikas Yojana (MSBY) and the Rural Urban Transition Policy (RUTP) was made by Sri Rabindra Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary, focusing on planned urban expansion and balanced development in rapidly urbanising regions.

Financial management and orientation on Central Finance Commission (CFC) and State Finance Commission (SFC) guidelines were discussed by Smt. Sikha Biswal, FA-cum-Additional Secretary. ULBs were advised to maintain financial discipline, ensure optimum utilization of grants, and strengthen transparency in expenditure management.

Urban water supply infrastructure also figured prominently during the review. The Managing Director, WATCO, and Engineer-in-Chief, PHEO reviewed progress under the SUJAL Mission for ensuring 24x7 “Drink From Tap” facilities and saturation of piped water supply connections across urban areas.

The post-lunch session focused on the SAHAJOG initiative and “Waste to Wealth” strategies for scientific waste management and resource recovery. Discussions emphasized community participation, behavioural change, and sustainable waste processing systems for cleaner urban centres.

Urban sanitation programmes including Solid Waste Management, Liquid Waste Management, and GARIMA were extensively reviewed. The meeting assessed ULB performance in maintaining sanitation standards and discussed measures for improving waste segregation, scientific disposal, and welfare support for sanitation workers.

Urban housing initiatives under PMAY (Urban) and PMAY (Urban) 2.0 were also reviewed, with emphasis on expediting affordable housing projects and beneficiary coverage for the urban poor.

Dedicated discussions were held on newly formed ULBs, focusing on institutional strengthening, administrative preparedness, and capacity building. Urban planning and mobility initiatives were reviewed by the Director, Town Planning and the Managing Director, CRUT, with emphasis on integrated mobility systems and strengthening public transport infrastructure.

The review also assessed progress on saturation of Smart LED Public Street Lights across urban areas to improve public safety, urban aesthetics, and energy efficiency.

Concluding the conference, Padhee directed all ULBs to ensure timely implementation of projects, regular monitoring of flagship schemes, adoption of innovative practices, and technology-driven governance for achieving sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development across Odisha.