District-level master trainers oriented on key urban initiatives

Bhubaneswar, June 24: A two-day orientation programme for district-level master trainers on key urban initiatives commenced today at the SUDA Conference Hall here. The programme was formally inaugurated by Housing and Urban Development secretary Usha Padhee.

Padhee underlined the need for a paradigm shift in urban management. 

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“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,” Padhee added.

The orientation featured addresses by senior officials: Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, Gangadhar Naik, Special Secretary, Satrughna Kar, Additional Secretary, Sikha Biswal, Financial Advisor, Saroj Kumar Das, Joint Secretary, Bilas Behera, Engineer-in-Chief & 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, 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).

The orientation signifies a crucial step towards strengthening urban governance at the grassroots level and ensuring effective, people-centric implementation of urban transformation programmes across Odisha. The PD DUDAs, Executive Officers of ULBs and other officers  have attended the orientation  programme.