Bhubaneswar, February 3: The Housing & Urban Development Departmenton Tuesday organised a learning workshop on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM), in collaboration with TSU-FSSM (EY) and Dasra at the at the Odisha Urban Academy here.

The workshop brought together senior officials, sector experts, and key knowledge partners to consolidate and advance Odisha’s pioneering initiatives in urban sanitation.

During the event, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), and TIDE Technocrats Ltd. for the establishment of a state-of-the-art pyrolysis unit at the Basuaghai Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP).

The MoU was signed in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary (Housing & Urban Development) Usha Padhee.

The initiative marks a significant step towards advanced biosolids treatment, resource recovery, and promotion of circular economy practices in the sanitation sector.

The workshop also featured a structured stakeholder consultation, aimed at eliciting actionable recommendations to further strengthen Odisha’s FSSM framework and ensure its long-term operational and financial sustainability, in alignment with the State’s vision of Vikshit Odisha.

Addressing the gathering Padhee, appreciated the collective efforts of the State Government and its partners, describing Odisha’s FSSM programme as “a bright star in the urban development domain,” receiving recognition at both national and international levels.

She also acknowledged the decade-long partnership with the Gates Foundation for its continued support in strengthening the State’s sanitation initiatives.

Binaya Kumar Dash, Additional Secretary, H&UD Department and Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), stated that the learning workshop marks an important milestone in enhancing the future-readiness, scalability, and sustainability of Odisha’s FSSM ecosystem.