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Bhubaneswar, August 18: The Odisha Government has stepped up efforts to accelerate urban infrastructure projects and strengthen welfare measures aimed at benefiting around 4.2 lakh Economically Weaker Section (EWS) urban households across the state.
The focus was discussed at the 14th Dashboard Review Meeting for FY 2026–27, chaired by Padhee, which assessed the financial progress of the Housing and Urban Development Department, implementation of flagship programmes, infrastructure projects, urban reforms and emerging priorities across Odisha.
The review covered key areas such as Urban Conclave 2026, urban flood management, Local Self Government Day 2026, Big Ticket Projects, the Urban Challenge Fund, reform initiatives and district-level monitoring.
Padhee directed officials to closely monitor action points, address bottlenecks without delay and expedite project implementation to ensure that planned investments deliver visible outcomes for citizens.
The Department has been allocated ₹10,726.87 crore for 2026–27. Officials were instructed to accelerate expenditure, ensure effective utilisation of funds and prevent the surrender of allocated funds at the end of the financial year.
The Dashboard review examined several flagship initiatives, including SAHAJOG, which aims to achieve saturation in scheme linkages for around 4.2 lakh EWS urban households.
The Urban Challenge Fund, BCPPER, affordable housing initiatives and other Big Ticket Projects were also reviewed. Proposals under the Urban Challenge Fund for Sambalpur and Rourkela are being advanced for submission to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Withthe Collectors’Conference and Urban Conclave 2026approaching, the Department has renewed its focus on inter-departmental coordination, field-level monitoring and outcome-based implementation.
The Technical Assistance Support Unit and concerned vertical heads have been tasked with closely monitoring action points and ensuring that projects adhere to prescribed timelines.
The review highlights the Odisha Government’s focus onfaster project execution, stronger urban infrastructure, improved sanitation and coordinated flood management, with the broader objective of enhancing urban services and building greater resilience across the state.
The review noted significant progress in sanitation and waste management. Under theSwachha Odisha programme, expenditure has reached 62.5 per centof the budget provision. Solid Waste Management recorded expenditure of 65.9 per cent, while Liquid Waste Management stood at56.4 per cent.
Officials were directed to accelerate legacy waste remediation, establish Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants and strengthenMicro Composting Centres (MCCs)andMaterial Recovery Facilities (MRFs). Continued monitoring of urban sanitation activities through the Dashboard mechanism was also emphasised.
Water supply and urban drainage remained key priorities during the meeting. Progress under theSUJALAand24x7 Drink-from-Tapinitiatives, being implemented through WATCO and PHEO, was reviewed.
In view of the growing need for effective urban flood management, the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for storm-water drainage systems in 50 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)is being undertaken on priority.
The Department is also strengthening district-level coordination to ensure timely resolution of local water-supply and drainage issues.
Several major urban infrastructure and connectivity projects were also reviewed. DPRs are being prepared for six priorityComprehensive Development Plan (CDP) road corridors, including routes connectingSainik School Square–VSS Nagar, the New Bhubaneswar Railway Station corridor and Pokhariput–Ananta Vihar, among other strategic locations.
The Department is also pursuing Ring Road and other major infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on coordinated planning and time-bound execution.
The meeting called for continued reforms in town planning and urban governance. Development Authorities and ULBs are being encouraged to streamline Town Planning schemes through standardised procedures and clearly defined implementation roadmaps.
Building-plan approval in rural areas is also being shifted to an online system. Meanwhile, model plans for urban infrastructure are being developed to promote standardisation and improve the quality of urban development.
Urban mobility and affordable housing also featured prominently in the review. Progress under CRUT, including the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) and proposed mini-bus operations, was assessed.
The Department also reviewed the expansion of Ama Bus and PM e-Bus Sewa. Affordable housing projects in Cuttack, Berhampur and Rourkela are being pursued for faster implementation, including through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
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