The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is on the cusp of a transformative chapter in urban development, with key decisions from its 35th general council meeting set to address longstanding issues in drainage, city beautification, and street lighting.
In a move aimed at eliminating persistent waterlogging during monsoons, approximately 316 kilometres of drains currently under the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department will soon be transferred to BMC’s jurisdiction. Mayor Sulochana Das announced that this shift will enable regular maintenance and cleaning, ensuring no further drainage problems plague the city.
“This decision marks a milestone in making Bhubaneswar a clean, beautiful, and convenient urban hub,” Mayor Das stated after the meeting. She emphasised that the transfer will create an integrated drainage system, focusing on de-silting, repairs, and upgrades. Low-lying areas such as Patia and Nayapalli, which frequently face flooding, are expected to benefit significantly. The mayor highlighted that years of planning have gone into this initiative, aligning with Bhubaneswar’s evolution as a smart city where robust infrastructure is essential.
The council also greenlit the formulation of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for city beautification. A committee comprising BMC’s engineering and town planning departments will draft this SOP within 30 days. The guidelines will enforce strict controls on roadside garbage, unauthorised commercial signboards, and illegal constructions. Regular monitoring of parks, road dividers, medians, and pavements will be implemented to enhance the city’s green and clean appeal.
Tenders will be invited for electricity and lighting solutions across three zones: North, South East, and South West. This addresses complaints about faulty streetlights and power issues that inconvenience residents at night. The project will introduce modern LED lights, solar-powered systems, and grid upgrades, promoting energy conservation and environmental protection. The tender process is slated to begin within 15 days and will be funded through BMC’s 2025-26 annual budget. Notably, in 2024-25, BMC collected over Rs 90 crore in holding taxes and other revenues, providing ample contingency funds for these initiatives.
Discussions at the meeting also touched on providing dream homes to citizens and resolving grievances swiftly. A new app and helpline will be launched to address complaints within hours. “Our goal is to transform Bhubaneswar into a model sustainable city,” Mayor Das affirmed.
Also, BMC plans to introduce an online tracking portal where progress can be monitored by the public. These developments are poised to have a long-term positive impact on the city’s quality of life, illuminating a path toward a modern and resilient urban landscape.
