Bhubaneswar: The State Executive Committee (SEC) on disaster management on Wednesday approved a ₹222.20-crore project aimed at providing a long-term solution to urban flooding and waterlogging in Bhubaneswar, besides clearing a ₹1.77-crore proposal for heatwave mitigation measures in Bhubaneswar and Kataka.
The first meeting of the SEC for 2026-27, constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, was chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhavan. Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and senior officials attended the meeting, while Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania and Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi joined virtually.
The committee approved the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)-supported urban flood mitigation project with a total outlay of ₹222.20 crore, including ₹200 crore as the Centre’s share and ₹22.20 crore from the state. The project envisages strengthening stormwater drainage systems, integrated lake restoration and inter-connectivity, rainwater harvesting, water security measures, early warning systems, urban flood risk assessment and capacity building.
The SEC also approved a ₹1.77-crore proposal to reduce the impact of extreme heatwaves in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) areas. The initiative includes construction of multi-purpose rest shelters, installation of vetiver cooling mats at bus stops, reflective roof painting in Saila Sahi, vetiver roof shading and drinking water facilities at the Netaji Bus Terminal in Kataka.
Reviewing disaster management finances, the committee noted that ₹979.18 crore had been allocated under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and ₹429 crore under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF), with an overall disaster management provision of around ₹2,147 crore. Expenditure of ₹1,064.48 crore has been incurred so far in 2026-27, while utilisation certificates have been received for 92.93 per cent of funds released over the years.
The meeting also discussed revised proposals for forest fire risk mitigation, strengthening communication systems of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services, fire safety training, and capacity-building programmes of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). Approval was given for procuring HF and VHF communication equipment, VSAT terminals and satellite phones to strengthen emergency communication systems.
To bolster disaster preparedness at the grassroots, the committee approved the formation of village-level volunteer task forces in 3,000 non-cyclone shelters across the state. The volunteers will be trained in early warning dissemination, search and rescue, first aid, shelter and relief management, water and sanitation, and psycho-social support.
The committee also emphasised expanding statewide awareness campaigns to reduce snakebite and lightning-related deaths through mass media, village-level outreach, educational institutions and the involvement of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, farmers and voluntary organisations.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg directed departments to ensure timely and quality implementation of approved projects, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and ensure transparent utilisation of funds while leveraging technology to make Odisha’s disaster management system faster, more effective and resilient.
