The 31st Board meeting of Rourkela Smart City Ltd (RSCL) was held recently, bringing together senior officials to review ongoing projects and strategise new initiatives aimed at making Rourkela a future-ready smart city. The meeting was chaired by Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, and attended by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Sundargarh Collector Subhankar Mohapatra and RSCL CEO Dheenah Dastageer. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Integrated Command and Control Centre, which will serve as the core of Rourkela’s urban management system. The Board stressed the importance of completing the project on schedule and instructed departments to coordinate closely to avoid delays and resolve bottlenecks promptly. The Board also undertook a detailed review of the ‘rOURkela One’ project, a flagship initiative aimed at upgrading public infrastructure and community facilities. Members expressed satisfaction with the progress of the city command centre and Tribal Museum buildings, noting both the pace and quality of construction. Significant attention was devoted to the cultural and conceptual elements of the Tribal Museum, including content development, creation of traditional tribal huts, artefact displays and shrine craftsmanship to reflect the region’s rich heritage. Updates were also provided on other ongoing projects, such as the large recreation park and the Vedvyas heritage development project. Discussions highlighted the need for these sites to be not only functional but also culturally enriching, offering residents and visitors opportunities for learning, leisure and aesthetic enjoyment. The Board emphasised the importance of integrated planning, timely execution and community participation in achieving the Rourkela Smart City vision. Officials were directed to uphold high-quality standards during implementation, adhere strictly to budgets and ensure that local communities are meaningfully involved in project activities to promote inclusive urban development. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerating current works and preparing future initiatives that enhance urban living standards and foster sustainable growth. Through these efforts, Rourkela aims to position itself as a regional leader in smart city development, blending technology, cultural heritage and improved quality of life.