Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) observed its 42nd Foundation Day at Soochana Bhawan here, Sunday. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Public Enterprises, and Chairman of BDA Krushna Chandra Mohapatra graced the event as chief guest. The event was also attended by Mayor Sulochana Das, Bhubaneswar Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, BDA Vice Chairman N Thirumala Naik, Secretary Snigdharani Dhal, and BDA Karmachari United Forum President Samir Mohanty. Mohapatra, in his address, emphasised the need for strategic urban planning to accommodate the growing population in the Capital city.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration between authorities and the public to develop the City, maintain its greenery, and improve its sewerage and drainage systems, to make it a world-class City. Das underscored BDA’s critical role in making Bhubaneswar an inclusive City and addressing the challenges of climate change. Singh urged the BDA authorities to prioritise projects that provide shelter for the urban homeless, noting the City’s rapid population increase and low number of urban shelter homes. Naik reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to comprehensive development and enhancing the living standards of the residents.