Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRG) Technical Meeting in Puri, reaffirming Odisha’s global leadership in disaster resilience and climate adaptation.
Welcoming delegates from BRICS nations, the Chief Minister emphasised that disaster risk reduction is central to sustainable development and human security. He highlighted Odisha’s globally acknowledged “Zero Casualty” model, built on advanced early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and community participation.
Majhi stressed that climate change, rapid urbanisation, and environmental degradation are intensifying disasters worldwide, demanding stronger preparedness and coordinated action. He called for enhanced global and inter‑state cooperation to address these challenges.
The Chief Minister acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ten‑Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction and said Odisha remains committed to translating this vision into practical outcomes. He announced that the recently approved 160‑kilometre Greenfield Coastal Highway from Rameswar to Paradeep will strengthen disaster preparedness by enabling faster evacuations and uninterrupted supply chains during severe weather events.
Majhi also underlined the importance of urban resilience, advocating climate‑sensitive planning and preventive measures against heatwaves, lightning, and coastal erosion. He urged BRICS nations to convert deliberations into concrete partnerships, noting that the “Puri Deliberations” could shape future global frameworks for disaster risk reduction.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari added that Odisha’s learnings from the 1999 super cyclone have helped build a globally recognised governance model. He emphasised community response as a cornerstone of disaster preparedness.
