Odisha Housing Minister Sets Ambitious Urban Development Goals

Bhubaneswar: In a pivotal review meeting held at Kharavel Bhawan on Monday, Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, charted out an ambitious roadmap for the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB). The discussions centered on the board’s current projects, future expansion plans, and the implementation of key housing schemes across the state.

The OSHB, with operations in 21 districts including major hubs like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, has made significant strides in urban development. To date, the board has successfully developed 32,343 houses and plots, with nearly 20,000 homes constructed in Bhubaneswar alone. These housing developments span strategic locations such as Patia, Kanan Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, VSS Nagar, and other key areas of the capital city.

During the meeting, Minister Mahapatra emphasized the board’s goal to deliver 50,000 plots and houses across urban areas in Odisha. The plan includes constructing approximately 1,000 houses in each district, which is supported by the planned acquisition of around 520 acres of land in districts like Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, and Balangir.

The Minister also reviewed ongoing projects, including Kharavel Enclave and Subas Enclave in Bhubaneswar and Angul Enclave in Angul, highlighting the OSHB’s commitment to expanding its housing offerings. Additionally, a new plotting scheme at Jagannath Prasad in Bhubaneswar is set to bolster the board’s efforts in urban development.

Addressing challenges, the meeting focused on the issue of encroachments on OSHB project sites. Minister Mahapatra instructed officials to take decisive action to clear these encroachments, ensuring the smooth progress of both current and future projects.

The review session was attended by senior OSHB officials, including Managing Director Sagarika Pattanaik, Secretary Rashmita Tarasia, Chief Engineer L.P. Mohapatra, and Finance Advisor Minati Pati, who collectively discussed strategies to meet the board’s ambitious targets and enhance urban housing across Odisha.