Bhubaneswar, 16 May (H.S.): In view of ongoing global economic uncertainties and changing international developments, the Odisha Government’s Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has issued an advisory promoting prudent utilisation of government resources, with particular emphasis on fuel conservation and efficient use of official vehicles.

The initiative has been undertaken in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for sustainable resource management and energy conservation. The advisory has been issued under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee.

As part of the measures, officers using official vehicles for meetings, inspections, field visits, and other government assignments have been encouraged to adopt vehicle pooling and ride-sharing practices wherever feasible. The department stated that such collective transport arrangements would help reduce fuel consumption, minimise avoidable expenditure, and improve administrative efficiency while contributing to broader national energy conservation efforts.

Senior officers attending official meetings and events have also been advised to coordinate transportation pooling arrangements.

The advisory further directs officers and employees to refrain from using official vehicles for lunch outings and other non-essential short-distance personal trips during office hours. Instead, officials have been encouraged to opt for shared transportation and environmentally friendly alternatives for shorter distances.

The instructions have been extended to all organisations and agencies functioning under the H&UD Department, including the EIC (PH), Directorate of Municipal Administration, Directorate of Town Planning, Valuation Organisation, Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities, SUDs, OSSSB, UIDF, OSHB, Cuttack Urban Transport Corporation, BMRCL, WATCO, OUHM, OUA, ORIET, and ORERA.

All concerned departments and organisations have been instructed to implement similar fuel conservation and resource optimisation measures in their respective offices with sincerity and commitment.

Through this collective initiative, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee has called upon officers and employees to demonstrate administrative discipline and actively contribute towards sustainable governance and responsible resource management.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda