New Delhi: Odisha has outlined an ambitious urban growth roadmap while participating in a high-level consultation on the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi following the release of its operational guidelines on April 15, 2026.
Representing the state, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra described the UCF as a catalyst for a “new take-off” in India’s urban transformation, aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He said the fund would leverage market-based mechanisms and private investment to build self-reliant, growth-driven cities.
Highlighting Odisha’s approach under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Mahapatra identified the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip Economic Region as a key growth engine. He noted that a pipeline of “investment-ready” projects is being developed to deliver world-class infrastructure, strengthen climate resilience, and generate employment.
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Usha Padhee, presented a roadmap for Viksit Odisha @ 2036 aligned with the national vision. She emphasised convergence-driven planning, data-led governance, and institutional capacity building for the timely execution of large-scale projects, while stressing the need for scalable and sustainable urban ecosystems.
The consultation, chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, brought together ministers and senior officials from states and Union Territories to deliberate on implementation strategies.
With a central outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, discussions focused on project prioritisation, faster approvals, and efficient fund utilisation. Key areas included Integrated Command and Control Centres, municipal digitisation, drone-based land management, transit-oriented development, dumpsite remediation, and strengthening core urban infrastructure.
Senior officials from Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Department, including Arindam Dakua, Satrughna Kar, Shikha Biswal, Chanchal Rana, and Sneha Arugula, also participated in the deliberations.
The consultation is seen as a step towards accelerating high-impact urban investments and advancing the goal of building sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready cities.
