Bhubaneswar: In a significant recognition of Odisha’s efforts towards strengthening urban sanitation and scientific waste management, Bhubaneswar and Puri have been selected among 50 cities in the country under PRAGATI 50 Initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0).
The initiative aims to transform the selected cities into Model Sanitation Cities through focused monitoring, structured handholding and accelerated implementation of interventions in solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, cleanliness and citizen participation. The 50 cities, selected from 24 States and Union Territories, will serve as models of good practices for other urban centres.
The virtual national launch of the initiative was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. During the programme, the Union Minister interacted with Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Odisha Minister for Housing & Urban Development. Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee also participated in the virtual meeting.
During the interaction, Mahapatra highlighted Odisha’s ongoing efforts in waste-to-value initiatives, including the establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar, Kataka and Puri, with support through Oil India’s CSR. Waste-to-Charcoal initiatives are also being pursued in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Mahapatra reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to implementing the PRAGATI 50 initiative in close coordination with MoHUA and the concerned Urban Local Bodies and in accordance with the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures prescribed by the Ministry.
The selection of Bhubaneswar and Puri is particularly significant given their importance as major urban centres, with Bhubaneswar being the State capital and Puri a major cultural and religious destination attracting large numbers of visitors. The initiative will provide an opportunity to further strengthen sanitation systems, improve waste management and enhance citizen participation in both cities.
The Housing & Urban Development Department, in coordination with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Puri Municipal Corporation and SBM-U teams, will undertake focused interventions and monitor progress against defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Through PRAGATI 50, Odisha will further strengthen its efforts towards cleaner cities, scientific n urban development, while developing replicable practices for other urban centres.
