Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: In a move to improve urban infrastructure, the Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has instructed all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to complete the development of pothole-free roads and covered roadside drains by March 31, 2026. This directive comes from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and aims to reduce road hazards, accidents, and waterlogging during monsoons.
A letter issued to Municipal Commissioners, Executive Officers, and Notified Area Councils (NACs) highlighted that potholes and open drains are serious threats to public safety. The initiative, which is part of the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), aims to upgrade urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life in towns and cities.
Key directives for ULBs include:
· Completing a thorough survey of roads and drains within the next four weeks.
· Creating action plans with clear deadlines and targets.
· Giving priority to covering drains in busy areas like markets, hospitals, and schools.
· Using durable technologies and existing schemes to minimize costs.
· Coordinating with Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Works Department (RWD), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for roads under their jurisdiction.
· Providing monthly progress reports and obtaining a "pothole-free certificate" by March 2026.=
The H&UD Department also reiterated its previous order to make footpaths pedestrian- and child-friendly, as per Supreme Court guidelines. The responsibility for ensuring compliance has been placed on Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers, with junior engineers and city engineers keeping track of repairs and drain coverage at the ward level. Complaints from citizens, reported through the Sahar Sathi helpline (1929) and grievance portals, will be incorporated into the monitoring system.
The department has warned that any failure to comply with these directives will be taken seriously and officials will be held accountable. Authorities believe this initiative will greatly improve public safety, reduce monsoon flooding, and enhance urban living conditions in Odisha.
