Inspects Aluminium Park, sanitation facilities, housing project and waterlogging-prone areas; stresses inter-agency coordination and accountability

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ANUGOLA, OCTOBER 30, 2026

Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, and Chairperson, IDCO, Usha Padhee, on Friday visited Anugola and reviewed the progress of key infrastructure projects, civic amenities and urban development initiatives, directing officials to ensure time-bound resolution of pending issues through coordinated action.

During her visit to Aluminium Park near NALCO, Padhee held discussions with senior officials of NALCO and IDCO on critical infrastructure requirements, particularly power and water supply. Emphasising the need to address existing bottlenecks, she called for close coordination among the concerned agencies and directed them to take timely steps to ensure the availability of essential infrastructure.

She subsequently visited the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) of Angul Municipality and reviewed the ongoing biomining project at Panchamahala. She took stock of sanitation initiatives and the scientific management of legacy waste, underscoring the importance of effective implementation and improved urban environmental management.

The Additional Chief Secretary also inspected the ongoing Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB) housing project, reviewing construction progress, drainage arrangements and the availability of basic infrastructure in the presence of OSHB officials and the District Collector. She directed the concerned agencies to address pending requirements on priority so that flats could be allotted and handed over to eligible beneficiaries at the earliest.

Focusing on recurring urban drainage concerns, Padhee visited the waterlogging-prone areas of Baniabahal and Lingarajodi, where she reviewed drainage-related issues with district and municipal officials. Stressing the need for sustainable and long-term interventions, she called for appropriate drainage solutions and effective stormwater management to ensure smooth discharge of rainwater and minimise inconvenience to residents, particularly during the monsoon.

Emphasising the need to translate development plans into tangible outcomes, Padhee called for stronger inter-agency coordination, greater accountability and regular field-level monitoring. She stressed that implementation bottlenecks must be addressed within stipulated timelines and that infrastructure initiatives should lead to improved civic services, better living conditions and visible benefits for citizens.

Collector, Anugola, Abdaal M. Akhtar, senior district-level officers and representatives of NALCO, IDCO, OSHB and other concerned agencies, including the CGM, were present during the visit.