Bhubaneswar: Principal Secretary for Housing & Urban Development (H&UD), Smt. Usha Padhee, today outlined a bold vision to position the cities of Rourkela and Bhubaneswar among the top 100 global cities.
Delivering the valedictory address at the two-day Odisha Urban Conclave – 2025, Smt. Padhee provided the strategic roadmap for the State’s urban future, aligning it with the long-term goals of Viksit Odisha – 2036 and Viksit Bharat – 2047.
Smt. Padhee stressed that achieving this international standing for Odisha’s key urban centres requires a multi-pronged approach. She strongly emphasised the critical need for private investment to fuel development projects.
Furthermore, she called for effectively leveraging smart city experiences gained to date and optimising both human and technological resources.
The Principal Secretary urged urban functionaries and departmental officers to operate with a “cooperation and collective spirit.” She highlighted that effective project implementation and superior service delivery can only be achieved through close coordination with departmental verticals.
This cohesive working model, she noted, is essential for translating the state’s grand vision into tangible reality for its citizens.
The Conclave, which concluded with a commitment to build vibrant, sustainable, and people-centric cities, also showcased best practices under flagship urban programs like PMAY-U, SUJAL Mission, SBM(U), and GARIMA, demonstrating the foundation already in place for this urban transformation.