Bhubaneswar and Puri have been selected among 50 cities across India under the PRAGATI 50 Initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0).

The initiative aims to transform the selected cities into Model Sanitation Cities through focused monitoring, structured handholding and accelerated implementation of measures related to solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, cleanliness and citizen participation.

The 50 selected cities from 24 States and Union Territories will serve as models of good practices that can be replicated in other urban centres.

The virtual national launch of the PRAGATI 50 initiative was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. During the programme, the Union Minister interacted with Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, also participated in the virtual meeting.

During the interaction, Mahapatra highlighted Odisha’s efforts towards waste-to-value initiatives. He said Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants are being established in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri with support from Oil India’s CSR initiatives. Waste-to-Charcoal projects are also being pursued in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Mahapatra reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to implementing PRAGATI 50 in coordination with MoHUA, Urban Local Bodies and SBM-U teams, following the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures prescribed by the Ministry.

The selection of Bhubaneswar and Puri is significant as both are major urban centres. Bhubaneswar, the State capital, and Puri, a major cultural and religious destination, receive a large number of residents and visitors.

The Housing and Urban Development Department, along with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Puri Municipal Corporation and SBM-U teams, will undertake focused interventions and monitor progress against defined Key Performance Indicators.

Through the PRAGATI 50 initiative, Odisha aims to further strengthen sanitation and scientific waste management while developing replicable practices for other urban centres.

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