Government of Odisha and Tata Steel Foundation Agreement Signed for Urban Living Space Revamp
In a significant move towards inclusive urban development, Tata Steel Foundation and Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the state-level celebration of Local Self-Governance Day.
Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Steel Foundation, represented the organisation in the ceremony. The MoU, which continues for four years, aims to foster inclusive, liveable urban habitats in informal settlements, and reduce urban inequality.
The collaboration aligns government leadership with corporate implementation capacity, and seeks to unlock public entitlements for over 2.28 lakh slum households. The partnership has already made an impact, with over 1.34 lakh slum households across five municipal corporations benefiting from the initiative.
The agreement deploys dedicated teams across 10 districts and 19 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), with the objective to transform informal settlements into inclusive, resilient urban habitats. The focus is on strengthening city-level systems and empowering community institutions, while facilitating access to welfare schemes.
The collaboration intends to translate policy into measurable, replicable outcomes, setting a precedent for sustainable urban transformation. The MoU reinforces Odisha's commitment to inclusive urban development, and the goal is to improve tenure security, access to services, and better living conditions for the affected households.
The initiative builds on a partnership launched in November 2022, and was attended by Usha Padhee, principal secretary, H&UDD; Arindam Dakua, director, municipal administration; and senior officials. The Tata Steel Foundation will manage the State-level Mission Management Unit, further solidifying their role in this ambitious project.
It's important to note that while Tata Steel Foundation's CEO Sourav Roy signed the MoU, the name of the leader of the Tata Steel Foundation was not specified in the search results.
The ceremony was also marked by a statement from Rahul Gandhi about infants' deaths in a hospital, but this statement is not directly related to the MoU between Tata Steel Foundation and Odisha's housing and urban development department.
This collaboration between Tata Steel Foundation and Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and liveable urban environment in the state. The partnership's ultimate goal is to foster sustainable urban transformation, ensuring a better future for all its residents.
