Turning COVID Adversity Into Advantage: Odisha Can Show The Way

The COVID-19 pandemic has single-handedly been able to stall normal functioning of humankind in all possible aspects over the last couple of months. This has resulted in unprecedented loss of life and livelihood for millions of people all around the globe. Industries and businesses are shut, educational institutions have shifted to online and live streaming digital technology for imparting knowledge, transport and tourism sectors have been closed and lockdown woes are everywhere.

Amid this grim scenario, we are all aware that this is a temporary situation and the indomitable human spirit will emerge victorious soon, but with a few riders. Though, life may not remain the same post COVID-19, however human life will get back to track sooner than later.

Whatever maybe the cause of the global pandemic, the positive side of the story is that Nature got a breathing space and is recuperating from centuries of human neglect and atrocity. This also has provided the much-needed scope for governments and urban planners to focus and channelize their resources to cover as much ground as possible to fast track pending infrastructure projects which would not have been possible during normal times.

Apart from being one of the most successful states in the country in its efforts to check the spread of the pandemic, Odisha is also setting up exemplary standards in addressing emergency response initiatives during humanitarian, disaster and health crises.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Odisha government should initiate simultaneous infrastructure projects along with the ongoing work to stop spread of the pandemic. This will address two issues at the same time. First, the planned infrastructure projects in accordance with the current fiscal budget like expansion of roads and railways, conversion of Puri into a World Heritage city, transformation of 65 acre of land near Lingaraj Temple going by the Ekamra Plan, decongestion of Cuttack municipal area and several others can be completed in record time taking advantage of empty roads and no congestion in and around construction sites.  Secondly, this will provide large-scale employment to daily-wage earners and construction workers and will help the economy at the micro level to resurrect itself. However, care has to be taken and robust mechanisms installed at these sites for zero transmission of the coronavirus, thus setting a benchmark in exemplary governance in multi-tasking and the ability to see the silver lining in every cloud.

It is important for governments to realize that a single point agenda would not yield results in the long run for communities and societies, which have evolved over a period of time into complex institutions with numerous variables for sustainability, development and growth. A well-balanced practical approach should be adopted to make sure that we don’t miss the woods for the trees.