Odisha's Rs 100 Crore Smart City Mission to Accelerate Urban Transformation

Urban experts believe the provision of the Chief Minister's Smart City Mission, featuring a substantial Rs 100 crore allocation in the state budget, will significantly accelerate urban transformation across major cities in Odisha. This new initiative targets comprehensive development through the strategic convergence of various urban infrastructure schemes, marking a pivotal step toward modernizing the state's urban landscape.

Budget Announcement and Strategic Vision

During the budget speech on Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared, "To accelerate urban transformation, I am introducing a new scheme, Chief Minister Smart City Mission, with an allocation of Rs 100 crore. This new initiative targets the comprehensive development of major cities through the convergence of urban infrastructure schemes and ensures the provision of basic urban facilities to become liveable."

The mission is designed to enhance the quality of life in urban centers by integrating multiple development projects under a unified framework. Beyond the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the scheme is expected to benefit Rourkela, Puri, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, extending its impact across key urban hubs in the state.

Expert Insights and Implementation Plans

Senior urban planner Sanjib Guru emphasized the importance of this allocation, stating, "The allocated amount will help complete ongoing infrastructure projects that are running in convergence with many other projects. The separate allocation under the smart city head will not only help expedite and supplement the work but also help chalk out new plans for city-specific works to improve the living condition of people, reduce pollution and introduce more beautified landscapes."

Key components of the mission include:

Integrated Transport Corridors: Planned with provisions for non-motorized transport to promote sustainable mobility.
Smart Water Supply Networks: Equipped with sensors for leak detection and effective management, enhancing resource efficiency.
Urban Beautification: Focus on creating more aesthetically pleasing landscapes and reducing environmental pollution.

Additional Urban Development Initiatives

Complementing the Smart City Mission, the budget includes several other significant allocations aimed at bolstering urban infrastructure and services:

Samruddha Sahara Scheme: A Rs 320 crore proposal for progressive town development, covering comprehensive town planning, new city development, and cities as growth hubs. This scheme specifically targets the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep Economic Region and key urban clusters like Sambalpur and Berhampur, with investments in area surveys, road infrastructure, and essential utilities such as sewerage and electrification.
Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana: An allocation of Rs 200 crore for urban wage employment to ensure asset sustainability and livelihood generation. This fund will support the maintenance of parks and gyms, fostering community well-being and job creation.
Water Security and Sanitation: A combined investment of Rs 1,767 crore under the SUJALA and AMRUT 2.0 schemes to ensure universal water security in urban areas. Additionally, an outlay of Rs 710 crore is dedicated to achieving a Swachha Odisha, including Rs 280 crore under Swachha Odisha and Rs 430 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission. These funds will fast-track bioremediation of legacy waste, operationalize waste-to-energy plants, and modernize solid waste infrastructure.

These comprehensive measures underscore the state government's commitment to transforming Odisha's urban centers into sustainable, livable, and economically vibrant spaces. By leveraging convergence and targeted investments, the initiatives aim to address critical urban challenges while fostering long-term growth and development.