Bhubaneswar, 08 April (H.S.): As part of their administrative training and orientation, IAS probationers participated in a comprehensive programme organized by the Housing & Urban Development Department on Wednesday. The initiative combined high-level interactions with field visits to provide practical insights into urban governance and service delivery systems.

During the session, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, along with Director of Municipal Administration Shri Arindam Dakua and other senior officials, briefed the probationers on key achievements, flagship schemes, and priority areas of the department. The interaction offered a detailed understanding of institutional frameworks, policy implementation strategies, and the functioning of various agencies involved in urban development.

The programme also facilitated an exchange of ideas, enabling probationers to gain clarity on administrative coordination, programme execution, and emerging challenges in the urban sector.

As part of the field exposure, the probationers visited Buddha Vihar to observe affordable housing projects being implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The visit provided them with first-hand experience of beneficiary-centric approaches and on-ground execution of housing initiatives.

Further, the group toured the Odisha Urban Academy, a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), and a Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Officials at these sites explained treatment processes, operational mechanisms, infrastructure management practices, and service delivery frameworks related to urban sanitation and water supply systems.

The programme aimed to strengthen the probationers’ practical understanding of urban governance, infrastructure systems, and public service delivery, equipping them for effective administrative roles in the future.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda