Odisha’s Housing & Urban Development Department has launched ANKUR

Bhubaneswar:28/5/25:Odisha’s Housing & Urban Development Department has launched ANKUR – Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation & Reform.

The program was officially unveiled by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister of Housing & Urban Development, who emphasised ANKUR’s role in fostering efficient, smart, and inclusive cities. The government signed MoUs with six leading institutions to drive reforms, capacity building, research, and implementation support.

Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the H&UD Department, highlighted that ANKUR was born out of years of reflection and collaboration, recognizing the need for new partnerships and innovative approaches to address Odisha’s rapid urbanization. With the urban population expected to triple by 2036, ANKUR will serve as the institutional backbone for reform and evidence-based decision-making.

The initiative aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047 while catering to Odisha’s unique urban context. Recognizing longstanding contributions from organizations like the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Tata Steel Foundation, and World Resources Institute, ANKUR aims to build a new era of urban governance, ensuring decentralization, inclusivity, and knowledge-led action.