Bhubaneswar: State Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krishnachandra Mohapatra today instructed the departmental officers to take steps to prevent artificial flooding in urban areas and give maximum importance to the water drainage system.
This morning, during the review of various plans and programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Minister Mohapatra directed the officials to give priority to urban development.
Minister Dr. Mohapatra said that urban development is essential for Odisha, which is developed with the goal of a developed India. Hence various NACs, Municipalities and Corporations of the state should be made more active. Since Bhubaneswar is the capital of the state, the minister advised developing it as a global model and focusing on infrastructure and urban development of the entire state. He said that people’s welfare should be emphasized along with development work. Budgeting will be done judiciously without unnecessary expenditure. Efforts will also be made to complete the metro project on a schedule timeline.
G. Mathivathanan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, made a presentation on ‘Successful Journey in Urban Development’ and detailed the achievements of various schemes and programs of the department. He informed about Odisha’s national recognition in the field of solid waste management, Odisha’s good performance at the national level in the cleanliness survey index, the progress of the metro rail project etc.
The Additional Chief Secretary also said that Odisha is the only state in the country to implement the Drink From Tap scheme. Similarly, 179 food centres in 115 urban areas are managed by women self-help groups, while Odisha has received global recognition for its innovation in free food schemes as well.
The Minister has directed to solve water logging and drainage problems in cities like Bhubaneswar on a priority basis. On the direction of the Minister, a guideline has been issued by the department regarding rainwater/floodwater management in urban areas and all Municipal officials of the state have been advised to strictly comply with it.
In the context of the recent outbreak of Jaundice in Sambalpur, Minister Dr. Mahapatra has directed the CEO, WATCO to go for immediate enquiry on water quality there.
Special Administrative Secretary and BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Municipal Director Sangramjit Naik and other Senior Officers were present at the meeting.