In a bid to fast-track urban infrastructure development and strengthen the financial resilience of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), the Odisha Government, in collaboration with Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), organised a one-day capacity-building workshop today.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, addressing the workshop as Chief Guest, emphasised the state’s focus on a “Revenue Model” to make ULBs self-reliant and sustainable. He urged municipal officials to work with dedication towards Odisha’s 2036 economic vision and contribute to India’s 2047 “Developed Bharat” goal.
Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee highlighted the workshop as a crucial step in enabling ULBs and Notified Area Councils (NACs) to mobilise financial resources for large-scale infrastructure projects. She noted that the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in April 2026, offers up to 25% central assistance for approved projects, with the remainder to be raised through loans, municipal bonds, or PPP models.
Odisha has already submitted 12 projects worth Rs 4,262 crore under UCF, focusing on drainage, urban redevelopment, ICCCs, transport, waterfront development, and wastewater management. Four major projects—Sambalpur Storm Water Drainage System, Sambalpur ICCC, Brahmapur ICCC, and Bhubaneswar Town Centre with Nicco Park Lake Zone Development—have been approved with a total budget of Rs 2,801 crore, including Rs 529.81 crore in central assistance.
HUDCO, through its Urban Invest Window (UiWIN), will play a pivotal role in project evaluation, financial structuring, and bankable DPR preparation. Experts from HUDCO, World Bank, Deloitte, Powertech Infrastructure, iDECK, AKS Consultancy, and Vadodara Municipal Corporation provided training on municipal finance, bonds, PPP models, and project funding.
The workshop concluded with HUDCO’s mentorship sessions, equipping ULBs with actionable strategies to implement transformative urban projects.
