TNI Bureau: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRG) Technical Meeting in Puri, showcasing Odisha’s globally recognised disaster management model and calling for stronger international cooperation to tackle climate change and disaster-related challenges.

Addressing delegates from BRICS nations, the Chief Minister said disaster risk reduction has become a key pillar of sustainable development and stressed the need for collective action to address increasing threats from climate change, rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation.

Highlighting Odisha’s “Zero Casualty” approach, Majhi said the state has emerged as a global model in disaster management through advanced early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, institutional preparedness and active community participation. He noted that Odisha continues to face challenges such as cyclones, heatwaves, lightning strikes and coastal erosion, requiring continuous innovation and investment in resilience-building measures.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the recently approved 160-km Greenfield Coastal Highway from Rameswar to Paradip via Konark, with an investment of Rs 8,301 crore, stating that it will significantly strengthen Odisha’s disaster preparedness by enabling faster evacuations, uninterrupted supply chains and quicker relief operations during natural disasters. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government for approving the project.

Majhi further said that the Coastal Highway, along with the Rs 8,307-crore Capital Region Ring Road project and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region project supported by NITI Aayog, will contribute to both economic growth and long-term climate resilience.

Calling the BRICS platform vital for global cooperation, the Chief Minister urged member nations to strengthen collaboration in areas such as early warning systems, climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure and capacity building. He expressed confidence that the “Puri Deliberations” would emerge as a landmark framework for future global disaster risk reduction efforts.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Odisha’s disaster preparedness has evolved significantly since the 1999 Super Cyclone, making it a globally recognised governance model. He highlighted the state’s focus on community-based disaster response and last-mile dissemination of early warning information.

National Disaster Management Authority officials, including Krishna S. Vatsa and Rita Missal, along with delegates and experts from BRICS countries, attended the meeting.