BSCL Board Reviews Progress on Smart City Initiatives; Emphasis on Citizen-Centric Urban Governance

Bhubaneswar: The 30th meeting of the Board of Directors of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) was held today at LokSeva Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha. The meeting reviewed major Smart City projects and approved several measures to enhance urban infrastructure and citizen services.

The meeting was attended by Surendra Kumar, ACS, GA & PG Department; Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Chanchal Rana, Managing Director, BSCL; S. Dev Datta Singh, Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack; Sanjay Kumar Biswal, Managing Director, CRUT; and senior officials.

The Board noted the successful launch and operation of the ‘SaharSathi’ 24×7 Call Centre (Toll-Free: 1929), inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 31 August 2025. The platform now caters to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Odisha, strengthening single-window civic grievance redressal and service support.

Progress of key technology-based urban solutions was reviewed, including the installation of 3,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, adaptive traffic signal systems, and a city-wide public address system to enhance public safety, women’s security, mobility management, and real-time monitoring.

The Board also decided that Smart City Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will continue to function and prepare a sustainable operational plan for the future.

In addition, the Board approved improvements along Janpath to enhance pedestrian access and public utility. This includes replacing the existing bamboo fencing with M.S. iron grills from Master Canteen to Vani Vihar, along with urban design elements to make the corridor more citizen-friendly.

Emphasis was also laid on solar energy adoption, rooftop rainwater harvesting, and the development of child-friendly public spaces. Recommendations were made to ensure clean public toilets and well-maintained parks accessible to all residents.

Speaking at the meeting, Anu Garg commended BSCL’s efforts in promoting innovation and digital governance. She encouraged continued focus on citizen-first urban planning and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to shaping Bhubaneswar into an inclusive, resilient, and technology-driven model city.