Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting chaired by Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister of Housing & Urban Development, was held on Thursday to discuss the improvement of sanitation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The meeting addressed various sanitation challenges and proposed actionable solutions to enhance urban cleanliness and waste management.
According to an official press release, the meeting reviewed the status of Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant establishment in five Municipal Corporations, the Puri-Konark Cluster, and the Boudhgarh-Sonepur Cluster. Minister Mahapatra urged officials to expedite the process to ensure timely completion of these projects.
The Minister proposed setting up integrated waste processing complexes in Municipal Corporations and selected Municipalities. These complexes would house various types of processing plants, including CBG plants, to reduce transportation and infrastructure costs. He also directed officials to prioritize the renovation and refurbishment of all non-functional old toilets and e-toilets under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Additionally, officials were instructed to expedite the processing of accumulated garbage at the Temporary Transfer Station (TTS) near Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, and ensure the urgent operationalization of the mega waste processing center at Palasuni.
To improve monitoring, the Minister suggested developing a digital application for sanitation in all Municipal Corporations and select Municipalities, similar to the existing BMC App. He recommended integrating these applications into the SUJOG portal of the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department for streamlined oversight.
Principal Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, Usha Padhee, proposed sharing a model agreement with ULBs to facilitate partnerships with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for the operation and maintenance of public toilets and urban services. The meeting emphasized enhancing community involvement in sanitation improvement efforts across all ULBs.
The meeting was attended by Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Additional Secretary Binay Dash, Commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), City Engineer of BMC, other concerned officers, and development partners. The discussions took place in the 3rd-floor conference hall of Kharabela Bhawan.
