Bhubaneswar: A pivotal two-day orientation program for district-level Master Trainers on key urban initiatives commenced today at the SUDA Conference Hall in Bhubaneswar. The program, aimed at fostering a paradigm shift in urban management, was formally inaugurated by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development.
In her keynote address, Smt. Padhee underscored the urgent need to move beyond conventional thinking in urban development. “To achieve Viksit Odisha @2036 and contribute towards the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, our urban systems must be rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and future-readiness,” she remarked. She emphasized that a progressive, planning-driven, and innovation-oriented approach is essential for realizing these ambitious goals.
Smt. Padhee called upon the participants to champion the spirit of transformation by actively engaging with crucial urban missions. She highlighted programs like the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), Shahajog, and Ankur as central to Odisha’s urban development roadmap. “Urban programmes must not be seen as schemes, but as commitments to improve the daily lives of our people. Responsive and proactive implementation is key,” she added, stressing the people-centric nature of these initiatives.
The orientation features insightful addresses from senior officials, providing valuable expertise across core thematic areas. Speakers include Shri Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration; Shri Gangadhar Naik, Special Secretary; Shri Satrughna Kar, Additional Secretary; Smt. Sikha Biswal, Financial Advisor; Shri Saroj Kumar Das, Joint Secretary; Shri Bilas Behera, Engineer-in-Chief; and Shri Gurucharan Das, Managing Director, WATCO. Their sessions delve into vital components of urban development such as Housing for All, Liveable Cities, Urban Sanitation, robust Water Supply Systems, effective Urban Planning, and innovations in Good Governance and E-Governance.
Shri Rabindra Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary and Project Director, SUDA, welcomed the gathering and outlined the vision and objectives of the training. He emphasized the crucial role of these Master Trainers in cascading knowledge and building institutional capacity across districts and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
This orientation marks a significant stride towards strengthening urban governance at the grassroots level and ensuring the effective, people-centric implementation of urban transformation programs across Odisha. The program saw participation from PD DUDAs, Executive Officers of ULBs, and other key officers, all committed to driving urban progress in the state.