Odisha Urban Conclave 2026: Roadmap for Smarter Cities

Bhubaneswar: The Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha hosted the Odisha Urban Conclave 2026, bringing together policymakers, experts, and representatives from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to chart a roadmap for inclusive, resilient, and citizen‑centric cities.

The conclave focused on strengthening municipal governance, financial accountability, and sustainable infrastructure.

Technical sessions highlighted budgeting reforms, revenue augmentation, and expenditure analysis, while reviews of low‑performing ULBs underscored the need for institutional strengthening.

Urban planning discussions revolved around Town Planning Schemes, the Samruddha Sahar framework, and Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikas Yojana, with emphasis on Tier‑II and Tier‑III city development, pedestrian‑friendly roads, and rural‑urban transition policies.

Citizen‑centric programmes such as PM SVANidhi, Sahajog, Sahajog Plus, and Aahaar were reviewed for outreach and impact.

Technology‑driven governance through the SUJOG platform, expansion of CRUT bus services, and solid/liquid waste management were also spotlighted.

A technical symposium on water management featured experts from IITs, CPHEEO, CEEW, and CSE, showcasing innovative solutions like decentralised wastewater treatment, biosolids management, and reuse of treated water.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee emphasised outcome‑driven implementation, while Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra called for efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability in ULBs.

The conclave concluded with a vision to transform Odisha’s cities into smarter, sustainable hubs that balance growth with inclusivity and environmental responsibility.