Odisha Minister Calls For Town Planning With Facilities For Urban Poor

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Minister of Higher Education Rohit Pujari on Saturday called upon the town planners to make the planning more inclusive and sustainable which can accommodate all sections of the society, specifically the urban poor.

Speaking at the valedictory function of 71st National Town and Country Planners Conference, organised by Institute of Town Planner’s conference on theme of “Challenges for Urban and Regional Planning towards sustainable development” at Bhubaneswar, the minister said cities need to be more inclusive and sustainable.

“We have to think about the poor section of the society like domestic helps, street vendors, labours and slum dwellers in city planning process. We need to focus on affordable housing and better amenities for them,” he said. Calling for use of globally recognised best practices on city planning, he urged the town planners to think from local perspective.

Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Vijay Amruta Kulange said, “Time has come to think about small town and cities. We have to make these cities beautiful, inclusive, sustainable and liveable. In Odisha, our urban infrastructure is emerging like anything specifically in Bhubaneswar.”

Among others, LP Patnaik, Chairman, Odisha Regional Chapter, Milland B Patil, former vice-president, ITPI, Prof DS Meeshram, president ITPI and SB Khodankar, former secretary general, ITPI were present.