Hans News Service Bhubaneswar

RecognisingOdisha’s efforts to strengthen urban sanitation and scientific waste management, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has selected Bhubaneswar and Puri among 50 cities across the country under its PRAGATI 50 Initiative, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0).

Officials noted that 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 initiative was launched virtually on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. During the programme, the Union Minister interacted with Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Odisha Housing & Urban Development Department minister. During the interaction, Mahapatra highlighted Odisha’s ongoing waste-to-value initiatives, including the establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar, Kataka and Puri, with support from Oil India’s CSR.

Waste-to-Charcoal initiatives are also being pursued in Bhubaneswar and Kataka. Mahapatra reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to implementing the PRAGATI 50 initiative in close coordination with MoHUA and the Urban Local Bodies concerned 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 strengthen sanitation systems further, 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 toward cleaner cities and scientific urban development, while developing replicable practices for other urban centres.