Bhubaneswar: The 3rd Meeting of the Empowered Committee on Asset Management of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) convened on May 17, 2025, chaired by Principal Secretary, H&UDD, Usha Padhee. The meeting addressed the post-Smart Cities Mission (post-March 31, 2025) management, maintenance, and leveraging of urban assets created in Bhubaneswar, aiming for long-term sustainability and financial viability.
Key discussions centered on:
- Revenue Generation: Strategies for sharing user fees from public assets (MLCPs, streetscapes, plazas), allowing advertisement rights in MLCPs, and converting unused parking spaces to commercial use were examined.
- Financial Sustainability: The committee explored reimbursement for past capital expenditures and sustainable financing models for ongoing operational costs (energy, AMCs). The current financial strain on BSCL, bearing all recurring expenses post defect liability periods, was a significant concern.
- Asset Functionality: Refurbishment and modernization of digital kiosks were discussed to ensure continued user-friendliness.
- Organizational Efficiency: Rationalization of manpower and administrative streamlining within BSCL were suggested to align with its evolving post-mission role.
Smt.Padhee stressed the importance of inter-agency coordination, innovative financing, and efficient governance to maximize the value of smart city assets.
The meeting’s outcomes will inform the development of a comprehensive asset management roadmap for BSCL. The aim is for BSCL to serve as a lighthouse for asset management for other aspiring cities in Odisha.
Attendees included senior officials from BMC, Police Commissionerate, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Higher Education Department, WATCO, BSCL, and the Tourism Department.