Housing and Urban Development Minister Reviews Flagship Schemes, Focus on Pothole Clearance

Bhubaneswar: A comprehensive review of key programmes and initiatives of the Housing and Urban Development Department was conducted on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, with a strong focus on effective implementation and improvement of urban civic services across Odisha.

The meeting assessed the progress and on-ground performance of major flagship schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY) and ‘Sahajog’, along with other ongoing urban development and infrastructure projects. Emphasising their significance, the Minister said these initiatives play a crucial role in strengthening urban infrastructure, improving basic amenities and enhancing the overall quality of life for urban residents in the state.

A detailed review was undertaken of the state-wide pothole clearance drive, with city-wise progress placed before the Minister. Dr Mahapatra directed all concerned officials and urban local bodies to complete pothole repair works within the stipulated timeframe, stressing the use of durable, high-quality engineering solutions to ensure road safety and smoother traffic movement.

Highlighting the need for accountability, the Minister underscored the importance of continuous field monitoring, strict quality control and effective coordination among implementing agencies. He also stressed prompt grievance redressal and citizen-centric service delivery as key priorities of the department.

The review meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, Director of Municipal Administration, Arindam Dakua, Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, senior officers and staff of the department. Officials presented detailed updates on programme implementation and outlined future action plans to further strengthen urban governance in the state.