In a standout victory for Odisha’s urban governance, a high-level delegation from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), headed by Mayor Sulochana Das, met with Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, at his official residence today to present national clean-air assessment trophies and certificates.
The delegation comprised key municipal leaders and officials, including Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar, BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, Deputy Commissioner (Sanitation) N. Ganesh Babu, the Chairperson of the Sanitation Standing Committee, and Corporators representing Wards No. 30, 36, and 15.
The national awards spotlighted Odisha’s decentralized model of environmental action. Ward No. 36 and Ward No. 30 of the BMC secured top national rankings in the ward-level clean-air assessment. Adding to the state’s accolade tally, Ward No. 13 of the Raurkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) also earned a top position, reinforcing statewide progress in curbing urban air pollution.
This national recognition underscores Odisha’s grassroots strategy for clean-air management, which prioritizes localized planning, civic participation, and micro-level environmental measures.
Commending the delegation, Minister Dr. Mahapatra lauded the collective determination of city officials, elected leaders, and residents. He described the achievement as a matter of immense pride for both Bhubaneswar and the entire state of Odisha.
“Maintaining clean air is not a one-time milestone, but a continuous responsibility demanding sustained local initiative and deep-rooted community partnership,” Dr. Mahapatra stated. He urged the BMC team to build upon this victory and expand ward-level environmental interventions to make Bhubaneswar a healthier, greener, and more liveable capital.
Expressing gratitude for the Minister’s encouragement, Mayor Sulochana Das and the BMC team reaffirmed their commitment to expanding air-quality management projects and deepening citizen engagement across all municipal wards.
