Bhubaneswar: Odisha is setting a new benchmark in the global circular economy through the modernization of its urban sanitation infrastructure. Under the leadership of Shrimati Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development, the State has transitioned from traditional waste disposal to advanced resource recovery.
This strategic focus was highlighted during a specialized learning workshop on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) held today at the Odisha Urban Academy in collaboration with TSU-FSSM (EY) and Dasra.
The cornerstone of this thematic shift is the establishment of a state-of-the-art pyrolysis unit at the Basuaghai Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP). Shrimati Usha Padhee oversaw the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), and TIDE Technocrats Limited to bring this project to fruition. This facility represents a leap in biosolids treatment, utilizing thermal decomposition to convert waste into valuable byproducts, thereby reducing environmental impact while generating usable energy and char.
Addressing the senior officials and sector experts, Shrimati Usha Padhee characterized the state’s FSSM programme as a bright star in the urban development domain. She emphasized that the integration of such advanced technologies is essential for ensuring the long-term operational and financial sustainability of Odisha’s urban centers.
Shrimati Padhee also took the opportunity to recognize the decade-long support of the Gates Foundation, noting that such international partnerships have been instrumental in refining the state’s pioneering sanitation frameworks.
The workshop served as a platform for stakeholder consultation aimed at aligning sanitation goals with the broader vision of Vikshit Odisha. Shrimati Usha Padhee noted that by focusing on scalability and future-readiness, the department is not just managing waste but is actively contributing to the state’s economic and environmental resilience. Her leadership continues to push for actionable recommendations that maintain Odisha’s status as a national and international leader in urban sanitation innovation.