In a bold step to fast-track Odisha’s urban transformation, Minister for Housing & Urban Development (H&UD), Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, today launched the “First Tuesday Review Drive” during a meeting at Kharavela Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
This new governance mechanism designates the first Tuesday of every month as a dedicated review day for the H&UD Department, ensuring real-time monitoring, rapid implementation, and enhanced accountability across its flagship schemes.
The inaugural meeting saw the Minister take stock of the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikas Yojana, assessing progress in sanitation, infrastructure, and the GARIMA scheme, which focuses on the dignity and welfare of sanitation workers. Dr. Mahapatra emphasised timely execution, directing officials to streamline processes and expedite ongoing projects.
A key highlight was the Drink-from-Tap Mission, aimed at providing 24×7 access to safe drinking water across all 115 urban areas in Odisha. The Minister called for urgent action to meet this ambitious goal. He also reviewed the development of public amenities like parks, libraries, and Kalyan Mandaps, issuing specific instructions to incorporate accessible infrastructure for persons with disabilities in every park.
The discussion also covered critical areas such as boosting revenue generation by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), filling vacant departmental posts, and scaling up capacity building to strengthen urban governance and service delivery.
The meeting, held at the 3rd Floor Conference Hall of Kharavela Bhawan, was attended by Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee, Director of Municipal Administration, the Special Secretary, all Additional Secretaries, and other key officials.
This structured review framework underscores the Odisha government’s commitment to transforming urban spaces through inclusive, efficient, and results-driven development. The First Tuesday Review Drive is a testament to the state’s resolve to move from policy to performance, translating vision into velocity for a more vibrant urban Odisha.
