Bhubaneswar: In a significant push for urban infrastructure development, the Odisha government has approved 6,700 projects and sanctioned Rs 796 crore under Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikas Yojana (MSBY), against a current financial year allocation of Rs 1,200 crore.
This was revealed during a high-level review meeting chaired by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra at Kharavela Bhavan on Tuesday to assess the progress of MSBY projects across the state’s urban areas.
The minister directed the ULBs to accelerate project execution and complete all work
s within stipulated timelines, warning of zero tolerance for delays. He emphasised that quality cannot be compromised, as the initiative is designed to meet the aspirations of urban residents.
Mahapatra further pointed out that all proposals submitted by ULBs have been approved with full financial backing from the government, urging local bodies to prioritise on-ground implementation. He also stressed the importance of following standard designs and maintaining high construction standards.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, and other senior officials, while representatives from all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) joined via video conferencing.
Padhee called for better coordination and proactive planning among stakeholders to achieve noticeable urban improvements. She advised ULBs to initiate projects promptly to ensure complete utilisation of the sanctioned funds by the end of the financial year.