THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, APRIL 25, 2026

Describing the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) as a catalyst for a "new take-off" in India's urban transformation, Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Saturday said the initiative would accelerate the creation of self-reliant, growth-driven cities in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Dr Mahapatra made the remarks while participating in a high-level national consultation on the Urban Challenge Fund at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. The meeting was convened shortly after the release of the Fund's operational guidelines on April 15, 2026, and brought together ministers and senior officials from states and Union Territories.

Highlighting Odisha's urban growth strategy under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Dr Mahapatra identified the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region as a major engine of economic expansion. He said Odisha is building a robust pipeline of investment-ready projects aimed at delivering world-class infrastructure, enhancing climate resilience, and generating substantial employment opportunities.

He emphasised that the Urban Challenge Fund would leverage market-based mechanisms and attract private investment, enabling cities to emerge as vibrant centres of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.

Adding strategic perspective, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Usha Padhee outlined Odisha's roadmap for Viksit Odisha @ 2036, aligned with the national goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. She stressed the need for convergence-driven planning, data-led governance, institutional strengthening, and outcome-oriented reforms to build scalable and investment-ready urban ecosystems.

With a central outlay of ₹1 lakh crore for urban infrastructure, the consultation focused on project prioritisation, streamlined approvals, and effective fund utilisation. Key thrust areas included Integrated Command and Control Centres, municipal digitisation, drone-based land management, Transit-Oriented Development, dumpsite remediation, and strengthening core urban infrastructure.

Senior officials from Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department including Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Additional Secretary Satrughna Kar, Financial Advisor-cum-Additional Secretary Shikha Biswal, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Chanchal Rana and Puri Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sneha Arugula also participated in the deliberations.

The consultation marks an important step in advancing transformative urban investments and reinforces India's commitment to building sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready cities.