Odisha’s Urban Sanitation Efforts Earn National Recognition Under PRAGATI 50

Odisha has achieved a significant milestone in urban sanitation and waste management, with Bhubaneswar and Puri selected under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ PRAGATI 50 initiative.

This recognition places the two cities among 50 nationwide cities chosen to become Model Sanitation Cities under the Swachh Bharat Mission‑Urban 2.0.

The program emphasises structured monitoring, handholding, and accelerated interventions across solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, and citizen participation.

Odisha is also pioneering waste‑to‑value projects, including Compressed Bio‑Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri (supported by Oil India CSR), and waste‑to‑charcoal initiatives in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

For Bhubaneswar, the state capital, and Puri, a major cultural hub, this recognition will strengthen sanitation systems, improve waste management, and enhance citizen involvement.

The Housing & Urban Development Department, along with municipal corporations and SBM‑U teams, will monitor progress against defined KPIs.

Odisha’s innovative practices under PRAGATI 50 are expected to serve as replicable models for other urban centres across India, reinforcing the state’s leadership in sustainable urban development.