BHUBANESWAR: The Centre will extend all support to the Greater Bhubaneswar region project including the development of a new city near the capital to cater to the ever-growing population, Union minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday.
The Greater Bhubaneswar project mooted by the Odisha government aims to establish a special economic region comprising Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Paradip spanning 8,500 sq km area.
On a two-day visit to Odisha, Khattar met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and discussed about implementation of central schemes in urban development and power sector in the state.
A major point of discussion was the proposal for developing a new city as part of the Greater Bhubaneswar project. While assuring support for the project, Khattar advised the state government to explore funding opportunities under the 15th Finance Commission and the Urban Challenge Fund.
Highlighting the potential of Odisha’s urban centres, he emphasised the need to develop Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khurda as growth hubs. The focus should be on improving infrastructure, encouraging industrial and commercial growth and promoting sustainable urbanisation through strategic planning and public-private partnerships, he stressed.
The minister also reviewed the Bhubaneswar metro project and reaffirmed full support from his ministry to address the city’s growing public transport needs. The proposal for 50,000 new houses under PMAY-Urban (PMAY-2) was also discussed. Khattar assured continued coordination with the state government for its expeditious approval.
He lauded the state’s progress under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), particularly in achieving milestones such as the 24x7 water supply projects currently underway in 18 cities.
As Odisha has shown commendable improvements in sanitation and waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, Khattar advised the state to prioritise clearing legacy waste sites to reclaim land and create greener urban spaces. He also emphasised intensified implementation of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme for wider outreach and faster credit access for street vendors across Odisha.
Earlier in the day, Khattar reviewed the implementation and progress of key urban development initiatives and infrastructure projects at a meeting attended by deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo and senior officials.