Bhubaneswar, April 8: As part of their administrative training and orientation, IAS Probationers from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, on Wednesday engaged with the Housing & Urban Development Department through a structured programme, including high-level interactions and field visits.

The probationers interacted with H&UD Department Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee, along with Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua and other senior officers, who provided an overview of key achievements, flagship schemes, and priority areas of intervention. The session offered valuable insights into institutional frameworks, policy implementation, and the functioning of various wings involved in urban service delivery.

The interaction also enabled a meaningful exchange of ideas, helping the probationers understand administrative coordination, programme execution, and emerging challenges in urban development.

Subsequently, the probationers visited Buddha Vihar to observe Affordable Housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), gaining first-hand exposure to on-ground implementation and beneficiary-centric approaches.

The programme further included visits to the Odisha Urban Academy, a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), and a Water Treatment Plant (WTP), where officials briefed them on urban sanitation and water supply systems. Detailed insights were shared on treatment processes, operational mechanisms, infrastructure management, and service delivery frameworks.

Overall, the initiative aimed to enhance knowledge and practical understanding of IAS Probationers on urban governance, infrastructure systems, and public service delivery mechanisms, thereby preparing them for effective administrative responsibilities.