THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 13, 2026
Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Chief
Secretary Usha Padhee has directed Development Authorities, Municipal
Corporations and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to ensure time-bound disposal of
pending building plan approval applications, warning that deliberate negligence
and unjustified delays would invite strict action.
Reviewing the pendency of applications under the Online Building Plan
Approval System (OBPAS) at Kharavel Bhawan here on Friday, Padhee called for
greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in the approval process,
stressing that citizens should not be made to suffer due to administrative
delays.
Taking stock of pending applications, procedural bottlenecks and
planning-related clearances, she directed officials to undertake a data-driven
assessment of cases and identify authority-wise and ULB-wise delays for their
immediate resolution.
Emphasising the need for a robust accountability mechanism, Padhee called
for strengthening digital file tracking and directed that applications pending
beyond seven days be escalated to higher authorities, wherever necessary. She
also made it clear that responsibility must be fixed at every level and
appropriate action initiated against officials found responsible for deliberate
negligence or avoidable delays.
The ACS further stressed the need to strengthen the SUJOG platform by
incorporating enhanced monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure
transparent processing and real-time tracking of applications. She cautioned
against repetitive and unnecessary queries and called for clear communication
to applicants regarding approval requirements, procedures and stipulated
timelines.
Underscoring the importance of citizen-centric governance, Padhee
directed officials to simplify guidance documents and make them easily
accessible through digital platforms, explanatory videos and other
communication channels. She also suggested utilising the technical expertise
available in government engineering colleges and polytechnics to strengthen
planning support and streamline the approval process.
Stressing that technology-driven governance must translate into tangible benefits for the public, she urged the SUJOG team and all concerned authorities to take ownership of systemic issues and ensure a hassle-free, transparent and dependable building plan approval mechanism.
Director, Town Planning, Satrughna Kar, Additional Secretary Suvendu Kumar Sahu, Assistant Town Planners and members of the SUJOG team, among others, attended the review meeting.
