Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is stepping up efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure across the state, with major projects focusing on road connectivity, traffic management, flood control, affordable housing, sanitation and welfare coverage for economically weaker households.
The developments were reviewed during the 14th dashboard review meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee on Tuesday. Officials reviewed the progress of major infrastructure projects and flagship schemes being implemented under the department’s record Rs 10,726.87-crore budget for the current financial year.
Six Priority Road Corridors Identified In Bhubaneswar
One of the key areas of focus is the expansion and improvement of Bhubaneswar’s road network. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared for six priority Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) road corridors in and around the capital city.
The proposed corridors include the Sainik School Square–VSS Nagar stretch, the connectivity corridor linking the New Bhubaneswar Railway Station, and the Pokhariput–Ananta Vihar route, among other important stretches.
The projects are intended to improve connectivity between growing residential and commercial areas while helping ease pressure on existing roads.
Authorities have been asked to coordinate closely with the agencies involved so that the DPR preparation and subsequent implementation remain on schedule.
Ring Road Project To Strengthen City Connectivity
The proposed Bhubaneswar ring road project is also being pursued as part of the state’s larger strategy to improve urban mobility.
The project is expected to create better connections between different parts of the city and surrounding urban areas while providing an alternative route for traffic. Officials have been directed to ensure coordination among relevant agencies and maintain timelines for the strategic road infrastructure initiative.
The ring road, along with the proposed CDP corridors, is expected to play an important role in addressing the transportation requirements of a rapidly expanding Bhubaneswar.
Affordable Housing Projects In Three Major Cities
Housing for economically weaker sections and other eligible urban residents is another major component of the government’s urban development agenda.
Affordable housing projects are being pursued in Cuttack, Berhampur and Rourkela, with the objective of increasing access to secure and affordable homes for eligible beneficiaries.
The initiatives are expected to address housing requirements in growing urban centres, particularly among households that face difficulties accessing formal housing because of limited financial resources.
SAHAJOG Focuses On Urban Poor Households
The Housing and Urban Development Department is also working to expand access to government welfare schemes among economically weaker urban families.
Under the SAHAJOG initiative, the government is working towards achieving saturation of welfare scheme linkages for around 4.2 lakh EWS urban households.
The initiative seeks to ensure that eligible families can access various government support programmes and welfare benefits, thereby strengthening social protection among vulnerable urban communities.
Flood Management And Sanitation Get Priority
Alongside infrastructure and housing, the department has identified flood management, sanitation and waste management as important areas of urban development.
The focus on flood management assumes significance as several urban areas in Odisha remain vulnerable to waterlogging and flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Strengthening urban drainage and related infrastructure is therefore expected to be an important part of improving the resilience of cities.
Progress under Swachha Odisha was also reviewed during the meeting. Expenditure under the programme has already reached 62.5% of the annual allocation, indicating substantial progress in implementation.
Officials Told To Speed Up Project Execution
During the review meeting, officials were directed to accelerate the implementation of ongoing projects and strengthen coordination between government departments and executing agencies.
Authorities were also instructed to closely monitor project timelines and ensure that important infrastructure initiatives are completed within their stipulated schedules.
With the state increasing investment in urban infrastructure, the focus is now on translating the proposed road, housing, flood-management and welfare projects into timely and visible improvements for residents across Odisha’s major cities.
