Bhubaneswar, 24 June (H.S.)A two-day orientation programme for district-level Master Trainers on key Urban Initiatives commenced today at the SUDA Conference Hall, Bhubaneswar. The programme was formally inaugurated by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha.

In her keynote address, Smt. Padhee underlined the need for a paradigm shift in urban management. “To achieve Viksit Odisha @2036 and contribute towards the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, we must move beyond conventional thinking. A progressive, planning-driven, and innovation-oriented approach is essential,” The time has come to move beyond traditional approaches. To realise the vision of Viksit Odisha @2036, our urban systems must be rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and future-readiness.” she remarked.

She called upon participants to champion the spirit of transformation by actively engaging with key urban missions such as the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), Shahajog, and Ankur, which are 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.” Smt Padhee added.

The orientation featured addresses by senior officials, who offered valuable insights into core thematic areas: 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 & Shri Gurucharan Das, Managing Director, WATCO etc.

Their sessions touched upon vital components such as Housing for All, Liveable Cities, Urban Sanitation, Water Supply Systems, Urban Planning, and innovations in Good Governance and E-Governance.

Welcoming the gathering, Shri Rabindra Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary and Project Director, SUDA, outlined the vision and objectives of the training programme. He emphasized the pivotal role of Master Trainers in cascading knowledge and building institutional capacity across districts and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda