Puri, Jun 4: Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRG) Technical Meeting in Puri, reaffirming the state’s commitment to disaster resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. The gathering brought together delegates and experts from BRICS nations under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Odisha’s Disaster Management Model

The Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s globally acknowledged disaster management framework, built on the principle of Zero Casualty. He emphasized the state’s investments in advanced early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, institutional capacity building, and community participation. Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones, heatwaves, lightning, and coastal erosion has shaped its proactive approach to preparedness and resilience.

Infrastructure for Preparedness

CM Majhi announced the recently approved 160-kilometre Greenfield Coastal Highway from Rameswar to Paradeep via Konark, with an investment of Rs. 8,301 crore. The highway will serve as a critical evacuation and relief corridor during cyclones, ensuring faster response and uninterrupted supply chains. He also cited other transformative projects such as the Capital Region Ring Road (Rs. 8,307 crore) and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep Economic Region (Rs. 5,000 crore), noting their dual role in economic growth and disaster resilience.

Alignment with National Vision

The Chief Minister acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in placing disaster risk reduction at the core of India’s development agenda. He reiterated Odisha’s commitment to translating the Prime Minister’s Ten-Point Agenda into practical outcomes through resilient infrastructure and community preparedness.

Urban Resilience and Global Cooperation

CM Majhi stressed the importance of climate-sensitive urban planning, sustainable land-use policies, and heat action measures to address rising urban risks. He called for enhanced scientific interventions and public awareness campaigns to mitigate threats from heatwaves, lightning, and coastal erosion. He further urged BRICS nations to transform dialogue into action, fostering cooperation on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and institutional capacity building.
Also Read: CM Mohan Majhi Welcomes Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway Project

Puri Deliberations: A Global Framework

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the “Puri Deliberations” would shape future global frameworks for disaster risk reduction. He described Odisha’s role as host as recognition of its achievements in disaster management. Concluding his address, he invoked the blessings of Lord Jagannath and expressed hope that the deliberations would strengthen collective resolve for safer, more resilient societies.

Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari also emphasized the importance of community response, citing lessons from the 1999 super cyclone. NDMA members Krishna S. Vatsa and Rita Missal highlighted Odisha’s governance model as a benchmark in disaster preparedness.