Bhubaneswar is no longer just known for its ancient temples. Today, it stands tall as India’s number one smart city, recognized globally alongside Singapore, London, and San Francisco. But what has actually changed for the people living there? Let’s explore how this historic city is rewiring daily life with technology, sustainability, and smart solutions.
- Global Recognition Model for the World
- What Makes Bhubaneswar Smart City Different?
- 1. Digital Services at Your Fingertips
- 2. 24×7 Essential Services
- 3. Smart Mobility Solutions
- 4. Real-Time City Management
- Integrated Public Service Centre
- Museum of Urban History
- Sustainability: Building a Green Future
- Seven Pillars of Bhubaneswar Smart City
- Heritage Meets Technology
- Economic Growth and Job Creation
- What Citizens Are Saying
Global Recognition Model for the World
Bhubaneswar didn’t just win India’s smart city race—it earned international acclaim. A delegation from 40 countries recently called it a model for technology-driven, sustainable urban development. This recognition puts Bhubaneswar on the global map as an inspiration for cities across the Global South.
The city achieved the top spot among 98 Indian cities, thanks to strategic planning and genuine community engagement. Unlike many urban projects, Bhubaneswar’s transformation is driven by what citizens actually want—through surveys, social media feedback, and community discussions.
What Makes Bhubaneswar Smart City Different?
1. Digital Services at Your Fingertips
Gone are the days of standing in long queues at government offices. Bhubaneswar now offers:
75 Smart Digital Kiosks (indoor and outdoor) where you can pay property tax, book tickets, get building plan approvals, apply for marriage certificates, and even use SOS services
Online property tax payment
Instant building plan approvals
Digital trade licensing
Public grievance redressal system
Water tank bookings
Last ride vehicle bookings
As one official put it: “These digital kiosks put a smart city in every citizen’s pocket—taxes, documents, and bookings at your fingertips.”
2. 24×7 Essential Services
Imagine never worrying about water shortages or power cuts. Bhubaneswar’s smart infrastructure includes:
Round-the-clock water supply with smart meters
Continuous energy supply
Leak-detection sensors in water networks
Green streetscapes
Rooftop solar panels on government buildings for clean energy
3. Smart Mobility Solutions
MOBUS: Modern city bus system
MOCYCLE: Public bicycle sharing program
Smart traffic management systems
Focus on non-motorized transport options
Common payment system across all public transport
4. Real-Time City Management
The Intelligent Operations and Management Centre (ICOMC) acts as the city’s brain, managing:
Traffic flow and transport
Utility services
Emergency responses
Disaster coordination
Public safety through digital monitoring
This command center provides real-time grievance redressal, ensuring problems get solved quickly.
Bhubaneswar’s smart city mission isn’t just about the privileged few. It includes:
These centers provide hygienic shelter and meal facilities for migrant workers and homeless people, ensuring no one is left behind in the city’s progress.
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Integrated Public Service Centre
E-health services
Public library access
Child care facilities
Museum of Urban History
India’s first museum of its kind, showcasing Bhubaneswar’s fascinating journey from ancient temple city to modern tech hub through interactive audio-visuals.
Sustainability: Building a Green Future
Solar City Initiative: Revamping buildings with solar panels for renewable energy
Green energy-powered street lights
Sustainable water management with leak detection
Open space utilization for parks and leisure
Clean and sustainable environment as a top priority
Seven Pillars of Bhubaneswar Smart City
Governance: Transparent, responsive, citizen-friendly
City Planning: Strategic and community-driven
Urban Utility: 24×7 water and power
Mobility: Smart, green transportation
Sustainability: Clean energy and environment
Social Inclusion: Services for all citizens
Digital Innovation: Tech-enabled living
Heritage Meets Technology
What makes Bhubaneswar truly unique is how it balances its rich thousand-year-old cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. The city proves you don’t have to choose between preserving history and embracing the future.
From ancient temples to tech-enabled living, Bhubaneswar is showing the world that history and tomorrow can coexist beautifully.
Economic Growth and Job Creation
The smart city initiative has opened doors for economic development through:
Partnerships with Indian and foreign companies
Innovation in housing and urban development
Inclusive job opportunities across sectors
Business-friendly digital infrastructure
Open data access for entrepreneurs
This in-house think tank brings international expertise directly to Bhubaneswar, ensuring the city learns from global best practices while adapting solutions to local needs.
What Citizens Are Saying
The transformation isn’t just visible in infrastructure—it’s felt in daily life. Property owners can pay taxes from home. Commuters can use bicycles for short trips. Students can access digital libraries. Even tourists can book last-minute transport with ease.
Public Wi-Fi zones keep residents connected, while open data platforms help businesses make informed decisions.
Bhubaneswar’s smart city journey is ongoing. With a pilot smart district featuring comprehensive surveillance and top-tier medical facilities, the city continues to innovate.
The focus remains on what matters most: making life easier, cleaner, and more connected for every single citizen.
Bhubaneswar Smart City isn’t just about fancy technology or winning awards. It’s about real change that impacts real people every day. From paying taxes online to breathing cleaner air, from finding shelter to accessing healthcare—the transformation touches every aspect of urban life.
As city planners worldwide look for sustainable, inclusive models of urban development, Bhubaneswar stands as proof that smart cities work when citizens are at the center of every decision.
The Temple City has become a Tech Hub, but it hasn’t forgotten its soul. That’s what makes Bhubaneswar’s smart city story truly inspiring.
