In a significant move to enhance urban safety and livability, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed all urban local bodies to make city roads pothole-free and cover open drains across the state. The initiative, set to be completed by March 2026, aligns with the government’s focus on improving citizen welfare, accessibility, and infrastructure quality.
The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has issued two circulars to all municipal corporations, municipalities, and notified area councils (NACs), outlining the Chief Minister’s instructions. Principal Secretary of the H&UD Department, Usha Padhee, has communicated these directives in letters to key stakeholders, including the Principal Secretary of the Works Department, Rural Development Department, regional officers, National Highways Authority officials, and urban local body authorities.
The circulars emphasize prioritizing urban safety, accessibility, and quality of life for residents. Special attention is to be given to densely populated areas, markets, educational institutions, hospitals, and accident-prone zones. Major roads are to be repaired in mission mode, with all works targeted for completion by the end of the current financial year.
Highlighting the issues caused by potholes and open drains—such as injuries, vehicle damage, and drainage problems during monsoons—the letters note that these hazards significantly impact public safety and urban living. The directives are integrated with the objectives of the Mukhyamantri Sadak Yojana (MSY), aiming to upgrade roads, drains, sanitation, and public amenities.
Urban local bodies have been tasked with the primary responsibility of making cities safer and more citizen-friendly. To achieve this, they must undertake the following steps:
- Conduct a comprehensive survey of roads and drains within four weeks of receiving the letter.
- Prepare a time-bound action plan, including specifications, financial requirements, and timelines.
Principal Secretary Padhee stressed in the letters that these measures will address longstanding grievances and improve overall urban infrastructure.
Notably, major cities like the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, along with other key urban centers in the state, have been plagued by potholes and uneven roads. Daily newspapers and social media have frequently highlighted public outrage over these issues, with residents blaming departmental apathy, especially as festival preparations intensify.
On Thursday, Principal Secretary Padhee’s circulars have brought hope for relief from pothole woes. However, whether all repairs will be completed by March remains to be seen.
