*Janpath Road Showcases Bhubaneswar’s Gender-Responsive Urban Planning; Economic Survey Report*

Bhubaneswar, Jan 29: Bhubaneswar’s redesigned Janpath Road has emerged as a national example of inclusive and gender-responsive urban infrastructure, earning a prominent mention in a recent NITI Aayog report that highlights best practices from across Indian cities.

The report notes that the prioritisation of safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure along Janpath Road — with features such as adequate lighting, well-marked pedestrian crossings and enhanced safety design — reflects Odisha’s broader commitment to making urban spaces safer for women and vulnerable groups. The initiative, the report says, aligns with global best practices such as Chennai’s inclusive street design manual and demonstrates how sustained urban planning efforts can transform everyday public spaces.

Beyond mobility, the NITI Aayog document points to Bhubaneswar’s role in driving systemic change across skill development, waste management and institutional capacity building.

One of the key highlights is the Odisha World Skill Centre (OWSC) in Bhubaneswar, inaugurated in 2021. Set up in collaboration with the Institute of Technical Education – Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, the centre is envisioned as a world-class training hub. It houses Schools of Engineering and Services, offers scholarships, and provides training ranging from basic to advanced levels, including life and safety skills. The report underscores the OWSC’s role in leveraging international collaboration for faculty development and suggests that similar centres could act as apex skilling institutions nationwide.

Bhubaneswar also figures prominently in Odisha’s ambitious waste-to-wealth model. Under the state’s “Garbage-Free Urban Odisha” mission launched in 2023, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has rolled out multiple innovative waste-processing initiatives. These include a coconut waste processing unit, a flower waste facility, a 150-tonnes-per-day mega material recovery facility, and a 10-TPD plasma processor that converts waste into value-added products. According to the report, these interventions not only address legacy waste but also create livelihoods and foster innovation in urban waste management.