Bhubaneswar: A high-level delegation from the World Bank expressed appreciation for Odisha’s community-led approach and data-driven reforms during its visit to Bhubaneswar to observe and understand the state government’s flagship urban initiatives under Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD).
The delegation — comprising regional VP Johannes Zutt, Director Imad Fakhoury, South Asia Practice Manager (Education) Keiko Inoue, South Asia Practice Manager (Health & Social Protection) Aparnaa Somanathan, senior economist Soumya Kapoor Mehta and country management team’s Kritika Singh — was received by H&UDD principal secretary Usha Padhee.
She presented Odisha’s urbanisation and development roadmap, highlighting 24×7 drink-from-tap water supply, sanitation, urban mobility, affordable housing and digital governance through SUJOG.
The six-member delegation visited Palasuni to observe best practices in sanitation. The members of the World Bank team interacted with Swachh Karmis, Women SHGs and beneficiaries of the Affordable Housing project at Nilamadhab Niwas.
The World Bank team expressed interest in further collaboration in Odisha’s path towards sustainable and inclusive urban development.
World Bank Delegation Visits Odisha’s Urban Flagship Initiatives
A senior #WorldBank team visited Bhubaneswar today to understand Odisha’s progress in urban development. Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, H&UD Department, presented the State’s roadmap covering 24×7… pic.twitter.com/IMxK65jMXU
— H & UD Dept (@HUDDeptOdisha) November 21, 2025
