Bhubaneswar: Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra Thurs day directed Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) to adopt a mission-mode approach for sanitation and urban flood management, with an ambitious target of securing the top position in the national ‘Swachhata’ rankings. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on sanitation, drainage and urban flood mitigation at UNNATI Bhawan here, Mahapatra said the twin cities should emerge as the cleanest and best-managed urban centres in the country.
Referring to Bhubaneswar’s earlier achievement of securing ninth position in its category, the Minister urged both civic bodies to intensify their efforts and work towards securing top position in the forthcoming national Swachhata evaluations. Reviewing recurring waterlogging and urban flooding during heavy rainfall, the minister directed officials to prioritise mechanised drain cleaning and systematic desilting. He said expert assessments had identified narrowed drains and heavy silt accumulation of up to three to four feet at several locations. “Deploy high-tech machinery for comprehensive drain cleaning. Major drains should be desilted at least three times a year to ensure adequate carrying capacity and reduce the risk of waterlogging,” the minister said.
The minister also stressed the need for technology-driven flood preparedness. He directed officials to install advanced flood sensors at strategic locations and integrate them with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for real-time monitoring, inundation forecasting and timely alerts to vulnerable areas. Mahapatra reviewed several locations facing recurring waterlogging and sanitation problems and directed officials to expedite the ongoing drainage project near ISKCON Temple to provide a permanent solution to waterlogging in the area. He also called for faster implementation of drainage interventions in Behera Sahi and strengthening of integrated road-cum-drain infrastructure at critical locations across Bhubaneswar.
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The minister further called for innovative and technology-based solutions to address persistent garbage accumulation and foul odour at identified locations, including the Sainik School area. He stressed that sanitation efforts should go beyond routine cleaning and incorporate sustainable and technology-enabled interventions to create cleaner, healthier and more liveable urban spaces. The government’s objective is not merely to improve the cities’ position in national rankings but to bring visible and lasting improvements in sanitation, drainage and urban infrastructure, the minister said. Mahapatra directed all concerned agencies to work in close coordination, ensure timely completion of ongoing projects and adopt a proactive approach to sanitation and flood management.
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