Housing and Urban Development Minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Thursday inaugurated a State-level seminar on ‘Financing of urban infrastructure projects in Odisha’.
Mishra highlighted on Odisha’s consistent economic performance, pace of urbanisation and demand for urban amenities and services. The urban local bodies should take up more projects which are financed by Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (OUDIF), the Minister said.
The Mayors of municipal corporations, Chairpersons and Executive Officers of Municipalities and NAC Chairpersons participated in the seminar. Additional Chief Secretary I Srinivas delivered keynote address and H and UD Secretary SK Ratho welcomed the participants. Director Municipal Administration Sanjib Kumar Mishra proposed vote of thanks.
The OUIDF provides financial assistance to urban local bodies, statutory boards, public sector undertakings and private investors for setting up positive environmental infrastructure projects. It consists of Urban loan Fund (loan Fund) and Project Development Fund (PDF) having a total fund of nearly `500 crore. The loan Fund provides loans to the eco-friendly infrastructure sub-projects.
Projects like Water Supply and Water Supply Improvement Schemes (WSIS), Underground Sewerages Schemes (UGSS), solid waste management, climate adaptation measures, bus and truck terminals, electrical crematoriums and energy efficient street lighting are financed by OUDIF. As of now proposals worth `300 crore are pending with the OUDIF.