71st National Town and Country Planners Conference

Bhubaneswar, 24^th February, 2023 : Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik on Friday emphasises on need to develop cities with sustainable infrastructure to accommodate future population growth.

He was virtually addressing the inaugural ceremony of 71^st National Town and Country Planners Conference organised by Institute of Town Planners India(ITPI) at Bhubaneswar on theme of “Challenges for Urban and Regional Planning towards sustainable development”.

The Chief Minister said that, “As India is striving for high economic growth we have been witnessing increased urbanisation across the country. Large numbers of youth are migrating from rural areas to urban centres and many urban poor people are living at slums which have put enormous pressure on urban public services and infrastructures. Along with economic growth we have to develop our cities and town with sustainable infrastructure that can accommodate future population growth. Our government has taken series of initiatives to make urban planning bodies more effective and citizen centric.”

He seeks recommendation from the conference and assured that his government will consider to implement those proposals. Three day National Town and Country Planner’s Conference is organising after 24 years in Bhubaneswar. He added.

On this occasion, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said that, “Bhubaneswar has tremendous potential for growth both in industrial as well as real estate sector. Bhubaneswar has taken the path of planned development. Our all activities based on clean and green city concept following sustainable development. Many activities are being undertaken to address impact of climate change and population growth. We focus on improvement in sanitation, cleanliness and proper management of both solid and liquid wastes. We also giving much importance to make Bhubaneswar a liveable city concentrating on city beautification, control of air population.”

She also said that, “Bhubaneswar is emerged as a rapid growing city of Eastern India. It becomes a major IT hub of the country which attracts tech majors like TCS, IBM, Deloitte, etc. Many major hospitals also set up their centres and after successfully hosting Hockey Men’s World Cup, Bhubaneswar also emerged as a major sports destination.”

Vice President of ITPI Dr L P Patnaik has delivered welcome address and said that, “Major challenges of urban planning are air and water pollution, climate change, energy and waste management. Therefore urban planning should focus on sustainable development to overcome these challenges. Reform needed in city planning and its execution.”

Other dignitaries present at the occasion are Shri G. Mathi Vathanan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Govt of Odisha, S B Khodankar, Former secretary general, ITPI, Prof Dr D S Meeshram, President ITPI, Sushant Mishra, Director, Town Planning, Shri P K Patnaik, Member EC, ORC, ITPI.