Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Minister of Housing & Urban Development (H&UD), Government of Odisha, conducted a high-level review of departmental activities at Kharavela Bhawan today.
The meeting focused on accelerating urban development initiatives and improving service delivery across the state.
Senior officials from various wings of the department, including Special Secretaries Sri Rajesh Pravakar Patil and Gangadhar Naik, Director of Municipal Administration Sri Arindam Dakua, and representatives from BDA and BMC, participated in the session.
The Minister directed officials to ensure timely execution of planned projects and stressed the importance of accountability. He called for strengthening manpower in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), mandating at least one Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer in each ULB to monitor infrastructure and service delivery.
“Our goal is to build sustainable, inclusive, and citizen-friendly cities,” Dr. Mohapatra stated. He outlined three key priorities for future urban development:
- Planned city growth to address rapid urbanization
- Greener and cleaner urban spaces for healthier living
- Robust service delivery systems to enhance quality of life
He urged officials to adopt innovative strategies and work in close coordination with ULBs to align urban growth with the state’s broader development vision. The review concluded with a renewed commitment to transforming Odisha’s urban landscape through efficient governance and community engagement.
