A group of ten IAS officer trainees from the 2024 batch, allotted to the Odisha cadre, visited the Department of Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) as part of their orientation programme, aimed at offering practical exposure to urban governance and policy implementation in the state.
The trainees were welcomed by Principal Secretary Ms. Usha Padhee (1996-batch IAS officer), along with Director of Municipal Administration Mr. Arindam Dakua (2011-batch IAS officer) and Special Secretary Mr. Debasis Singh. The visit provided the young officers with an in-depth understanding of Odisha’s urban development strategies, including planning, sustainable governance, and digital service delivery.
Ms. Padhee highlighted the transformative developments underway in Odisha’s urban landscape and stressed the importance of innovation, inclusivity, and citizen-centric policies. She urged the new officers to bring fresh perspectives to help frame forward-looking policies aimed at long-term urban sustainability.
During an interactive session, the department showcased key initiatives under the Viksit Odisha@2036 vision, which focuses on integrated and inclusive urban growth. The trainees were introduced to digital governance tools being used for efficient public service delivery. They also engaged in discussions on policy design, grassroots participation, and the role of data-driven planning in urban management.
The session concluded with an open dialogue, where the officer trainees expressed their appreciation for the department’s progressive approach and reaffirmed their commitment to responsive governance. Their participation in such hands-on orientation activities is expected to strengthen their ability to drive impactful change in Odisha’s urban development landscape.
