Bhubaneswar, Puri selected under PRAGATI 50 for urban sanitation push
Synopsis
The Centre has selected Bhubaneswar and Puri among just 50 cities nationwide under the PRAGATI 50 Initiative, an SBM-U 2.0 programme aimed at building Model Sanitation Cities. With CBG plants, waste-to-charcoal projects, and Oil India CSR backing already in motion, Odisha is positioning itself as a template for urban sanitation reform — and Puri's selection, given its massive pilgrim footfall, could have outsized national impact.
Key Takeaways
Bhubaneswar and Puri selected among 50 cities under the Centre's PRAGATI 50 Initiative on 29 September 2026 .
The initiative is part of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 , launched virtually by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar .
Cities are drawn from 24 states and Union Territories and will serve as Model Sanitation Cities.
Odisha is developing Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar , Cuttack , and Puri with Oil India CSR support.
Waste-to-Charcoal projects are underway in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack .
Progress will be tracked against defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by the Bhubaneswar and Puri Municipal Corporations .
Bhubaneswar and Puri have been selected among 50 cities nationwide under the Centre's PRAGATI 50 Initiative, part of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), in recognition of Odisha's efforts to improve urban sanitation and scientific solid waste management. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) made the announcement on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at a virtual launch chaired by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
What PRAGATI 50 Aims to Achieve
The initiative is designed to transform the 50 selected cities, drawn from 24 states and Union Territories, into Model Sanitation Cities. Focused monitoring, structured handholding, and accelerated interventions in solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, cleanliness, and citizen participation will drive the programme. The cities are expected to develop replicable best practices for other urban centres across India.
Odisha's Waste-to-Value Drive
During the launch event, Union Minister Khattar interacted with Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, who outlined the state's ongoing waste-to-value initiatives. These include the establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, backed by Oil India's corporate social responsibility funding. Waste-to-Charcoal projects are also being pursued in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Minister Mahapatra reaffirmed the state government's commitment to implementing the PRAGATI 50 initiative in close coordination with MoHUA, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, and the Puri Municipal Corporation, in line with the Ministry's guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures.
Why Bhubaneswar and Puri Matter
The selection of the two cities carries particular significance. Bhubaneswar is Odisha's state capital and a fast-growing urban centre, while Puri is a major cultural and religious destination that draws large volumes of visitors year-round — placing unique pressure on sanitation infrastructure. Strengthening waste management in Puri, especially, has direct implications for the millions who visit the Jagannath Temple corridor annually.
Monitoring and Next Steps
The Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department, working alongside the two municipal corporations and SBM-U teams, will implement focused interventions and track progress against defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The initiative provides a structured platform for both cities to scale up sanitation systems and deepen citizen engagement. Replicable practices developed here are intended to guide other urban local bodies across the state and the country.
Point of View
And making it a 'model city' is either an ambitious benchmark or an optimistic one. The CBG and waste-to-charcoal push signals genuine circular-economy intent, but the history of SBM targets is littered with KPIs that looked good on paper and struggled on the ground. The real test will be whether MoHUA's 'structured handholding' translates into independent, verifiable outcomes — or becomes another round of self-reported progress metrics.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PRAGATI 50 Initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0?
PRAGATI 50 is a Central government initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 that selects 50 cities from across India to develop into Model Sanitation Cities. It focuses on solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, cleanliness, and citizen participation through focused monitoring and structured support from MoHUA.
Why were Bhubaneswar and Puri selected under PRAGATI 50?
Bhubaneswar and Puri were selected in recognition of Odisha's ongoing urban sanitation and scientific waste management efforts. Bhubaneswar is the state capital and a major urban centre, while Puri is a significant cultural and religious destination with high visitor footfall, making robust sanitation infrastructure especially important.
What waste management projects is Odisha currently running?
Odisha is establishing Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri with support from Oil India's CSR programme. Waste-to-Charcoal initiatives are also being pursued in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as part of a broader waste-to-value strategy.
Who will oversee implementation of PRAGATI 50 in Odisha?
The Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department will coordinate implementation alongside the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Puri Municipal Corporation, and SBM-U teams. Progress will be tracked against defined Key Performance Indicators prescribed by MoHUA.
How many cities are part of PRAGATI 50 and which states do they come from?
A total of 50 cities have been selected under PRAGATI 50, drawn from 24 states and Union Territories across India. The cities are intended to serve as models of good urban sanitation practices for other urban local bodies.
