Leveraging Bhubaneswar's Smart City Model for Urban Development in Odisha
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has advised the Odisha government to replicate the success of the Bhubaneswar Smart City Mission in smaller towns to enhance technology adoption, GIS-based planning, and real-time monitoring.
Urban DevelopmentSmart CityBhubaneswarOdishaTechnology AdoptionReal EstateNov 03, 2025
Sources said the PMO has recommended that Odisha pursue a holistic urban development strategy with planning reforms, municipal financing mechanisms, capacity-building, and environmental safeguards to ensure that cities remain sustainable, resilient, and liveable.
The recommendations, accessed by The New Indian Express, were sent to Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja for efficient service delivery and better governance after the Prime Minister’s advisor, Tarun Kapoor, visited Odisha in August last week. Reliable digital infrastructure has been flagged as a key prerequisite for attracting IT, semiconductor, and electronics manufacturing investments in and around Bhubaneswar and adjoining districts where the state is making rapid progress in terms of industrialisation.
The state has set a target to increase urbanisation from the current 17 per cent to 40 per cent by 2036 and 60 per cent by 2047 by transforming eight cities around industrial clusters, including Angul, Balangir, Bhadrak, Kalinganagar, Keonjhar, Baripada, Rayagada, and Rourkela. A ‘liveable cities mission’ has been planned to improve the quality of life in 45 towns with populations over 25,000, with the support of corporate investments for infrastructure development.
The PMO emphasised the need for enhanced inter-departmental coordination, particularly among the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Housing and Urban Development department, and environment authorities to avoid execution delays and ensure seamless development planning. The recommendations also called for convergence of central schemes to bolster solar energy, green hydrogen, and waste-to-energy projects, while strengthening water resource management and encouraging optimal use of local materials and renewable resources.
Recognising the state’s initial progress in green hydrogen, the Centre has also offered to support it in accelerating hydrogen-based industrial transition. The state government has been asked to prioritise the resolution of accessibility gaps with roads and telecom connectivity, lack of which are affecting the rollout of welfare schemes in remote areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhubaneswar Smart City Mission?
The Bhubaneswar Smart City Mission is an initiative to transform Bhubaneswar into a smart city by integrating technology, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
What are the key recommendations from the PMO for Odisha's urban development?
The PMO has recommended enhanced inter-departmental coordination, reliable digital infrastructure, and the convergence of central schemes for solar energy, green hydrogen, and waste-to-energy projects.
What is the target for urbanisation in Odisha by 2036?
The target for urbanisation in Odisha is to increase from the current 17 per cent to 40 per cent by 2036 and 60 per cent by 2047.
What is the 'liveable cities mission' in Odisha?
The 'liveable cities mission' is a plan to improve the quality of life in 45 towns with populations over 25,000, supported by corporate investments for infrastructure development.
What support has the Centre offered to Odisha for green hydrogen projects?
The Centre has offered to support Odisha in accelerating hydrogen-based industrial transition, recognizing the state’s initial progress in green hydrogen.
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