BHUBANESWAR, OCT 25 (IANS): The National Urban Conclave 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar on Sunday with recommendations to strengthen urban governance, institutional capacity, integrated planning, sustainable financing and accountable service delivery.
Delivering the closing remarks, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal stressed affordable housing near employment centres and public transport, circular construction practices and scientific remediation of legacy waste. Noting that over half of the country’s legacy waste had been remediated, he called for sustaining efforts and preventing fresh waste accumulation.
He highlighted progress under AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban and PM SVANidhi in expanding water and sanitation services, improving waste management and urban mobility, and promoting financial inclusion.
Urban Development secretary Satendra Singh emphasised translating the outcomes of seven technical sessions into practical solutions. The conclave brought together representatives from Union and state governments, urban local bodies, industry, academia and knowledge institutions.
The ‘Right to Walk’ session recommended incorporating pedestrian rights into statutory plans, securing pedestrian right-of-way, improving infrastructure maintenance and establishing dedicated funding mechanisms.
The ‘Water, Waste and Resource Efficiency’ session called for integrated planning of water, wastewater and solid waste, outcome-based services and stronger performance monitoring. Affordable housing recommendations included reserving land, linking housing with transport and employment centres, developing rental and transit housing models, and introducing single-window approvals.
The integrated urban development session proposed shared GIS-based databases, transit-oriented development and coordinated sectoral investments.
Recommendations on urban service delivery included digital monitoring, citizen feedback systems, performance-based contracts, specialised municipal cadres and improved revenue mobilisation. The Model Building Bye-Laws session called for simpler regulations, digital approvals and rationalised floor area ratio, density and parking norms.
The Model Municipal Law session recommended five-year mayoral tenures, clearly defined executive powers, greater devolution of municipal functions and enhanced fiscal autonomy.
Initiatives launched on the conclave’s second day included the Used Water Marketplace under AMRUT 2.0 and Urban Challenge Fund Portal to enable transparent and streamlined implementation.
Monday, October 26, 2026