Bhubaneswar, 15 April (H.S.): In a major push towards digital governance, the Housing & Urban Development Department of Odisha has successfully implemented the Odisha Secretariat Workflow Automation System (OSWAS) across all 115 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state.

The rollout covers 5 Municipal Corporations, 48 Municipalities, and 62 Notified Area Councils, marking a shift from manual, paper-based processes to a unified digital workflow system. Developed with support from Odisha Computer Application Centre in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services, the platform enables end-to-end digital file management with real-time tracking, role-based routing, and time-bound decision-making.

Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the initiative will enhance transparency, speed, and accountability in urban administration, helping ULBs deliver improved services to citizens.

Earlier, municipal governance faced challenges such as manual file handling, lack of standardised processes, and limited monitoring. OSWAS addresses these issues through digital workflows, audit trails, and automated escalation mechanisms.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee described the rollout as a significant administrative reform that strengthens accountability and enables data-driven decision-making.

With features like real-time dashboards for monitoring file movement and pendency, the system is expected to reduce delays, improve coordination, and enhance overall efficiency. The initiative is seen as a key step towards building transparent and technology-driven urban governance in Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda