Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, presided over a high-level review meeting at Kharavela Bhawan in Bhubaneswar with the goal of advancing the urban development agenda. The Minister revealed during the meeting that the department’s flagship programs and projects will be reviewed on the first Tuesday of each month as part of a new governance mechanism called the “First Tuesday Review Drive.”
The Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikas Yojana was thoroughly reviewed by the Minister, who evaluated the program’s infrastructure, sanitation worker application of the GARIMA plan, budget use, and sanitation progress. Stressing the value of timely results, he gave authorities instructions to speed up work and simplify execution procedures. The Drink-from-Tap Mission was one of the main topics of attention, and the Minister urged immediate action to guarantee that all 115 metropolitan areas have round-the-clock access to safe and clean drinking water. In his study of the construction of public spaces like parks, libraries, and Kalyan Mandaps, he emphasized the need of inclusive architecture and infrastructure that is accessible to people with disabilities.
The Minister also discussed enhancing revenue generation by Urban Local Bodies, filling vacant posts, and scaling up capacity building for improved urban governance and service delivery. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee and Director Municipal Administration. The First Tuesday Review Drive aims to ensure real-time monitoring, swift implementation, and improved accountability across all flagship schemes and initiatives under the department. This new mechanism aligns with the Government’s commitment to transforming Odisha’s urban spaces through structured, inclusive, and efficient development.
