This city has been in the top 15 in Global Mayors’ Challenge

26 Dec 2022 CW Team

Popularly known as Ispat Nagar, Rourkela, has been making headlines with its numerous achievements: making it to the top 15 in the Global Mayors’ Challenge, winner of the Milan Pact Award and among the Top 11 cities in the Nurturing Neighbourhood Challenge by the Ministry of Housing, to name a few. Indeed, the city has maintained its track record of successful ongoing projects. Dr Subhankar Mohapatra, CEO, shares more….

Tell us about Rourkela smart city’s achievements in transforming the city using smart technology.
Rourkela One is a city hub project with three major buildings. This includes a building for the integrated command-and-control centre (ICCC), office spaces, a tribal museum and a hockey hall of fame as the city is in Sundargarh district, which has the distinction of providing many players for the Indian hockey team. Rourkela will be co-hosting the Hockey World Cup in 2023 with Bhubaneshwar. We are also developing a state-of-the-art auditorium and convention centre. The other big-ticket project is the Birsa Munda sports complex, which will comprise an athletic track, a FIFA-certified football field and a sophisticated swimming pool. This stadium is a Rs 1.3-1.5 billion project.

In addition, we are developing smart roads with underground utilities and ducting in the ABD area which is near completion. With climate change looming large, we have also taken up a huge network of stormwater management.

An important part of a smart city is to preserve its culture and heritage. A religious area in the city, Vedvyas, is being developed as a heritage precinct. It is also a local Triveni Sangam, a confluence point of three rivers.

To read the full interaction, CLICK HERE.

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

MMRDA Removes 1.14 lakh m of Metro Barricades

In a bid to ease congestion and improve urban mobility during monsoon, MMRDA has undertaken one of the largest coordinated barricade removal and monsoon preparedness drives across its ongoing metro and infrastructure projects.With substantial progress achieved in viaduct and structural works across multiple metro corridors, barricades from completed stretches beneath metro viaducts are being systematically removed, restoring maximum possible road space before the monsoon. Wider carriageways across key arterial roads are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, support better rainwa..

Pune Division to Remove All Diamond Crossings by Year-End

The Pune railway division has announced plans to remove all 16 diamond crossings by the end of 2026 as part of a major yard remodelling project following the derailment of a Vande Bharat Express at Pune Junction on April 27. Railway authorities said the replacements aim to improve safety and streamline train operations across the busy station. The decision followed a Central Railway finding that the accident involved a non-standard diamond crossing and highlighted the need for replacement. Regular maintenance of existing crossings will continue until the replacement work is completed. Official..

Goa Declares 80 Million Square Metres No Development Zone

The Goa state government has declared 80 million square metres (mn) of land a no development zone, designating the area as protected from new construction. The notification reclassifies tracts across the state under a no development category for planning and regulatory purposes. The declaration signals a formal halt to new building permits within the defined zone. Authorities indicated that maps will be issued to show broad boundaries while detailed surveys will refine precise limits. The move transfers responsibility for enforcement to local planning authorities and relevant departments, whic..