Odisha Unveils New Inclusive Urban Sanitation Policy

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Government has unveiled the “Odisha Inclusive Urban Sanitation Policy 2024,” aiming to realize the vision of inclusive, equitable, safe, and sustainable sanitation services for all residents.

Aligned with modern concepts like circular economy and community partnership, the policy integrates the sanitation value chain. It emphasizes disaster resilience and urban-rural convergence.

Effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, as per a notification from the Housing and Urban Development Department, the policy underscores the state’s commitment to improving sanitation infrastructure and services under the Swachh Odisha, Sustha Odisha movement.

The government’s focus on inclusivity has led to transformative initiatives, enhancing infrastructure, service delivery, and governance decentralization. These efforts prioritize marginalized communities’ inclusion.

Since 2017, Odisha has pursued safe sanitation in urban areas through Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM). The state has invested in Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) and optimized service delivery mechanisms, ensuring coverage across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

The recent shift towards City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and gender transformative outcomes has prompted a revision of the Odisha Urban Sanitation Policy, reflecting inclusive approaches and explicit incorporation of an inclusive lens.