Bhubaneswar: The State Disaster Management Executive Committee held its first meeting for FY 2025-26 under Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, approving several departmental proposals. Key projects sanctioned include revised allocations for fire safety by the Housing and Urban Development department, financial aid for district-wide lightning protection initiatives, OSDMA’s forest fire prevention plan, and a three-year maintenance programme for cyclone-resistant plantations in the Puri and Chilika Wildlife Division areas.
Other approved proposals include strengthening disaster-resilient power infrastructure, such as the establishment of a 220 kV GIS grid sub-station at Pahal to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during cyclones, support to NDMA for disaster-resilient infrastructure projects in other districts, and construction of high-level bridges and road improvements by the Rural Development department to enhance flood preparedness, among others.
Addressing the meeting, Ahuja said, “Odisha has earned a strong national and international reputation in disaster management, but continuous improvement is essential given the unpredictable nature of disasters.” “Disasters strike without warning, and therefore preparedness and rapid response must remain our top priority,” he added, stressing inter-departmental coordination and the need to reach disaster sites quickly and manage situations efficiently.
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Ahuja assured full support to strengthen state’s disaster response framework further. The committee reviewed the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), which includes the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF), and approved expenditure proposals for disaster preparedness and mitigation initiatives. It was reported that Rs 391.43 crore has been utilised so far in 2025-26 to address natural calamities, including floods and cyclones, occurring between March and November 28.
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