Odisha Housing Department Conducts Comprehensive Review of Urban Development Schemes
The Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha conducted an extensive review session on Friday, meticulously examining the performance, implementation status, and financial progress of various ongoing schemes across the state. The high-level meeting, chaired by Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and attended by senior departmental officials, aimed to assess ground-level impact and accelerate urban development initiatives.
Focus on Flagship Urban Development Programs
The review primarily concentrated on key flagship programs including the Mukhyamantri Sahari Unnayan Yojana, Sahari Samruddhi Yojana, and the Aahar programme. Minister Mahapatra emphasized critical urban improvement areas such as sanitation, cleanliness, beautification of parks and open spaces, and enhancement of public service centers in urban localities. The assessment sought to identify bottlenecks and streamline implementation processes for these vital public welfare initiatives.
Waste Management Systems Under Scrutiny
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating solid and liquid waste management systems across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Officials presented comprehensive data covering:
- Collection efficiency and coverage
- Segregation practices at source
- Processing capabilities and infrastructure
- Disposal mechanisms and environmental compliance
Minister Mahapatra stressed the importance of uniform implementation of waste management practices across municipalities and Notified Area Councils (NACs). He specifically cited Bhubaneswar's decentralized waste management system as a potential model for other urban centers to emulate, highlighting its effectiveness in handling urban waste challenges.
Financial Performance and Housing Initiatives Review
The department conducted a thorough examination of financial performance across ULBs, with particular attention to:
- Budget utilization rates and efficiency
- Timely approval processes for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)
- Expenditure estimates at various administrative levels
In housing sector initiatives, officials reviewed progress on multiple fronts including:
- Affordable housing projects and their completion timelines
- Implementation status of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)
- Rental housing schemes and transit houses
- Adarsh Goshala project development
The department decided to intensify awareness campaigns among beneficiaries to ensure maximum participation and proper utilization of housing schemes.
Urban Infrastructure Development and Rural-Urban Transition
Special attention was given to the development of 28 newly constituted NACs, with discussions focusing on:
- Addressing critical infrastructure gaps
- Staffing requirements and capacity building
- Timelines for establishing basic urban services
The review also encompassed rural-urban transition development works aimed at improving civic amenities and infrastructure in rapidly expanding urban areas, ensuring systematic urbanization without compromising service quality.
Minister's Directive and Warning to Officials
Expressing serious concern over delays and slow progress in certain infrastructure projects, Minister Mahapatra issued a stern warning to officials against negligence and inefficiency. He explicitly stated that departmental action would be initiated against non-performing officers who fail to meet implementation targets.
The minister directed the department to accelerate all pending works within the next 15 days, emphasizing the need for visible progress and tangible results in urban development initiatives. This directive underscores the government's commitment to timely project completion and efficient utilization of public resources for urban betterment.
