Among ULBs in Odisha, Pattamundai offers an interesting case study because of its geographical positioning, political nuances, administrative overlap, and high climate change vulnerability.

On August 31, Odisha has been celebrating ‘Local Self Government Day’ to promote grassroots democratic governance, meaningful civic participation, and sustainable urban development.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced nearly Rs 883 crore worth of 593 projects for the newly formed Notified Area Councils (NACs) and existing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Placing high hopes for the ULBs, the CM directed officials of ULBs ‘to provide services to citizens with efficiency, dignity and respect’. But first, are ULBs prepared to take on multiple crises of climate change breakdown, infrastructure deficiency, and rapid population growth? In short, are ULBs climate-proof and future-ready?

Among ULBs in Odisha, Pattamundai offers an interesting case study because of its geography, political nuances, administrative overlap, and high climate-change vulnerability.

Pattamundai Municipality, established as a NAC in 1988, is a medium-sized emerging town in Kendrapara district of coastal Odisha, surrounded by village panchayats of Pattamundai block. Unfortunately, after 38 years, the ULB reflects the gradual decay of the ideals of ‘Swayata Sashana’, or self-government, at the very local level.

Does Pattamundai Municipality demonstrate readiness to address multiple challenges, especially waterlogging and climate change emergencies, including as a model ULB for others or newly constituted NACs?

Geographically flanked by the Brahmani River in the northeast and a connecting channel to the River Gobari, locally called ‘Pota Nai’ (silted river or buried river) entrenched in the South, the Pattamundai municipality, created from 17 villages, is surrounded by 15 village panchayats out of 31 village panchayats of Pattamundai Block.

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