Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar was ranked 18th among 111 cities in the country in the latest Ease of Living Index 2018, published by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Monday.
“The credit goes to everyone for Bhubaneswar’s 18th rank on ease of living index. But still a lot of work needs to be done,” said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor, Ananta Narayan Jena.
On the other hand, Opposition parties have alleged that this is just a ranking on paper and reality is something else.
“Condition of waste and rain water disposal is very bad in Bhubaneswar. Not a single treatment plant has been constructed in the last 18 years. There is a lot of difference between the survey and reality,” said BJP leader, Samir Mohanty.
Similarly, Congress leader Rashmi Mohapatra said,“Bhubaneswar is definitely a beautiful place to live but the way it is being destroyed with artificial planning is shameful.”
Meanwhile, urban planners have said that the ranking is solely based on certain published facts and figures.
“Questions could be raised on how Bhubaneswar is doing so well in such rankings but the fact is it is not based on anyone’s perception. It is based on facts and figures,” urban planner Piyush Rout said.
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On individual parameters, Bhubaneswar got 1st rank in terms of public open spaces, 25th in governance, 18th in economy and employment, 33rd in solid waste management, 11th position in Education, 10th in transportation and mobility, 40th in power supply, 19th in identity and culture, and 17th in safety and security.
Pune is the most liveable city, followed closely by Navi Mumbai and Greater Mumbai in a ranking of 111 Indian cities with the national capital ranked at a lowly 65 on the Ease of Living Index.