Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Government of India,Shri Manohar Lal Khattar reviewed the implementation and progress of key urban development initiatives and infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the potential of Odisha’s urban centers, the Minister emphasized the need to develop Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha as Growth Hubs to drive regional economic development.
The focus will be on improving infrastructure, encouraging industrial and commercial growth, and promoting sustainable urbanization through strategic planning and public-private partnerships. A major point of discussion was the proposal for developing a new city as part of the Greater Bhubaneswar area.
The Hon’ble Minister assured support for the project and advised the State Government to explore funding opportunities under the 15th Finance Commission and the Urban Challenge Fund. To promote sustainable urban mobility, the Central Government has approved the deployment of 400 electric buses for Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Scheme.
The Minister also reviewed the proposed Bhubaneswar Metro project and reaffirmed full support from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs to address the city’s growing public transport needs. In a key housing initiative, Bhubaneswar served as the launch site for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
The proposal for 50,000 new houses under PMAY-Urban (PMAY-2) was discussed, and the Hon’ble Minister assured continued coordination with the State Government for its expeditious approval.
The Minister lauded Odisha’s progress under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), particularly in achieving milestones such as the 24x7 water supply project currently underway in 18 cities.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, the state has shown commendable improvements in sanitation and waste management. The Hon’ble Minister directed the State to prioritize clearing legacy waste sites to reclaim land and create greener urban spaces.
Further, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized intensified implementation of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, urging the State Government to ensure wider outreach and faster credit access for street vendors across Odisha.
The visit reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening urban development and improving the quality of life for citizens through close cooperation with State Governments.