Odisha Targets Top Swachhata Ranking for Bhubaneswar and Kataka, Pushes Tech-Based Flood Management

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set an ambitious target of securing the No. 1 position in national Swachhata rankings for Bhubaneswar and Kataka, while stepping up efforts to tackle urban flooding, waterlogging and sanitation challenges in the two cities.

Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra reviewed sanitation, drainage and urban flood mitigation measures in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) areas at a meeting held at UNNATI Bhawan.

During the review, the Minister directed both urban local bodies to adopt a mission-mode approach towards improving cleanliness and urban management. Recalling Bhubaneswar’s earlier achievement of securing the 9th position in its category, he urged BMC and KMC to work towards emerging as Rank 1 cities in the upcoming national Swachhata assessments.

Addressing the recurring problem of waterlogging during heavy rainfall, Mahapatra called for greater use of mechanised cleaning and systematic desilting of drains.

He directed officials to deploy high-tech machinery for comprehensive drain cleaning, particularly at locations where heavy silt accumulation has reduced the carrying capacity of drains. Major drains should be desilted at least three times a year, he said, to improve water flow and reduce the risk of urban flooding.

The Minister also stressed the need to move from temporary responses to permanent solutions for recurring waterlogging.

Technology-based flood preparedness was another key focus of the meeting. Mahapatra directed authorities to install advanced flood sensors at strategic locations and integrate them with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).

The proposed system will enable real-time monitoring of water levels, help forecast possible inundation and facilitate timely alerts in vulnerable areas, allowing authorities to respond more quickly during heavy rainfall.

The Minister reviewed several locations facing recurring drainage and sanitation problems and directed officials to accelerate corrective measures.

He called for expediting the ongoing drainage project near ISKCON Temple to provide a permanent solution to waterlogging in the area. Drainage interventions at Behera Sahi were also directed to be fast-tracked.

Mahapatra further stressed the need to strengthen integrated road-cum-drain infrastructure at critical locations across Bhubaneswar.

Persistent garbage accumulation and foul odour at certain locations also came under review. The Minister called for innovative and technology-based solutions, including at the Sainik School area, to address such problems.

He said sanitation efforts should go beyond routine cleaning and incorporate sustainable and technology-enabled measures to create healthier and more liveable urban spaces.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mahapatra said the government’s objective was not merely to improve rankings but to bring visible and lasting improvements in sanitation, drainage and urban infrastructure in Bhubaneswar and Kataka.

He directed all concerned agencies to maintain close coordination, expedite ongoing projects and adopt a proactive approach based on prevention, preparedness, rapid response and long-term solutions.

Special Secretary, H&UD-cum-Mission Director, SBM (Urban), Binay Kumar Dash, BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, KMC Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, WATCO Director Debabrata Mohanty, OWSSB Engineer-in-Chief Bhagyadhar Mohanty and other senior officials attended the meeting.