Odisha Urban Conclave 2025 Kicks Off in Bhubaneswar: Leaders Unite to Shape Smarter, Sustainable Cities

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Urban Conclave 2025, a flagship two-day event organized by the Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, commenced today in Bhubaneswar with a vision to steer the state’s urban transformation towards a smarter, inclusive, and sustainable future.

The conclave, themed “Collaborate. Build. Progress.”, aligns with the long-term developmental goals of Viksit Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Bharat by 2047, and brings together urban leaders, policymakers, planners, innovators, and civic administrators to shape the roadmap for next-generation cities.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Hon’ble Minister for Housing & Urban Development. In his keynote address, Dr. Mohapatra emphasized the importance of sustainable urban infrastructure, efficient service delivery, and empowered local governance in building vibrant and resilient cities. He commended the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for their progress in implementing flagship urban schemes and encouraged them to adopt innovative practices and peer learning to strengthen governance.

Delivering the context-setting address, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, outlined the state’s comprehensive urban development roadmap, highlighting the importance of collaborative governance, citizen-centric planning, and technology-driven solutions for future-ready cities. Earlier, Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, welcomed the delegates and participants.

The sessions at the conclave focus on key areas of urban transformation, including urban governance, infrastructure development, mobility, e-governance, financial management, livelihoods, housing, sanitation, and water supply. Discussions are centred on strengthening institutional capacities in ULBs, advancing digital governance through the SAHAJOG initiative, promoting sustainable transport, and improving municipal finance and creditworthiness.

Special emphasis is being placed on livelihood promotion under PM SVANidhi, affordable housing, inclusive sanitation practices, and universal access to safe drinking water, ensuring that urban growth remains equitable and people-focused.

Dignitaries and participants at the event underlined the need for cross-sector collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and resilient infrastructure to align Odisha’s urban mission with national and global sustainability goals.