Sambalpur: Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, visited Sambalpur and carried out an extensive review of ongoing urban infrastructure and welfare initiatives, while outlining a forward-looking roadmap for the city’s planned expansion and economic growth.
During her visit, she inspected key projects including the Jamadarpali Intake Point and the Water Treatment Plant at Tipupada being implemented by WATCO, and also reviewed the restoration of Modipada Pond undertaken by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC). At the Affordable Housing Project in Thelkopada, she interacted with beneficiaries and emphasized timely and quality execution, directing officials to ensure effective implementation. She also visited the Atal Garden at Burla, where she assessed the progress of development works and reviewed quality standards in discussion with the engineering team.
Further, Smt. Padhee visited the IDCO Industrial Estate at Bareipali–Panchgachia and assessed the performance of MSME units, stressing the need to enhance industrial efficiency and calling for revival and modernization of dormant industries through targeted interventions. A detailed review meeting was subsequently held at the SMC office under her chairpersonship, where key urban service areas such as sanitation, street lighting, revenue collection, public grievance redressal, storm water drainage, and capacity-building initiatives under iGOT Karmayogi were comprehensively reviewed, along with the progress of projects being implemented by WATCO and the Sewerage Board.
During the meeting, several important planning and development initiatives were discussed, including the development of a new Sambalpur city over 800 acres, construction of 2,000 affordable housing units at Pardhiapali and Thelkopada, and the proposal for grant of funds for a new bus terminal in the city. The Drainage Master Plan was also reviewed, with Phase I involving a tender process of ₹38 crore and Phase II, with an estimated cost of ₹163 crore, submitted to the Government for approval. Proposals for setting up a centralised waste processing plant for scientific waste management, implementation of comprehensive city lighting, and construction of a large market complex at Budharaja were also deliberated. In addition, detailed discussions were held with consultants regarding the progress of the Sambalpur–Bargarh–Jharsuguda Economic Corridor.
Smt. Padhee emphasized the need for coordinated and time-bound execution of all projects to ensure holistic and sustainable urban development of Sambalpur. Collector & District Magistrate, Sambalpur, Shri Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar; Managing Director, WATCO, Er. Debabrata Mohanty; Commissioner, SMC, Shri Rehan Khatri; along with other senior officials, were present during the visit and review meeting.