- Review meeting of Minister, Housing and Urban Development
- Emphasis will be placed on Urban Development
- Urgent order to avoid problems during rainy season
Bhubaneswar: Dr. Krishnachandra Mohapatra, Minister, Housing and Urban Development instructed the departmental officers to prevent artificial flooding in urban areas and give maximum importance to water drainage system. This morning, during the review of various plans and programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Minister Mohapatra has directed the officials to give priority to urban development.
Minister Dr. Mohapatra said that urban development is essential for Odisha, which is developed with the goal of a developed India. Hence various NAC, Municipalities and Corporations of the state should be made more active. Since Bhubaneswar is the capital of the state, the minister advised to develop it as a global model and focus on infrastructure and urban development of the entire state. He said that people’s welfare should be emphasized along with development work. Budgeting will be done judiciously without unnecessary expenditure. Efforts will also be made to complete the metro project on schedule timeline.
Sri G. Mathivathanan, Additional Chief Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department made a presentation on ‘Successful Journey in Urban Development’ and detailed the achievements of various schemes and programs of the department. He informed about Odisha’s national recognition in the field of solid waste management, Odisha’s good performance at national level in cleanliness survey index, progress of metro rail project etc. The Additional Chief Secretary also said that Odisha is the only state in the country to implement the Drink From Tap scheme. Similarly, 179 food centers in 115 urban areas are managed by women self-help groups, while Odisha has received global recognition for its innovation in free food schemes as well.
The Minister has directed to solve water logging and drainage problems in cities like Bhubaneswar on a priority basis. On the direction of the Minister, a guideline has been issued by the department regarding rainwater/floodwater management in urban areas and all Municipal officials of the state have been advised to strictly comply with it. In the context of the recent outbreak of Jaundice in Sambalpur, Minister Dr. Mahapatra has directed the CEO, WATCO to go for immediate enquiry on water quality there.
Special Administrative Secretary and BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Municipal Director Sangramjit Naik and other Senior Officers were present in the meeting.
