THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 14, 2026

Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday directed all departments to accelerate implementation of major government schemes and infrastructure projects while ensuring timely utilisation of funds and improved revenue collection across sectors.

Chairing a high-level secretaries’ meeting at Kharavel Bhavan here, Garg reviewed departmental expenditure and revenue collection up to the end of April and stressed the need for faster execution of priority programmes announced in the State Budget.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Commissioner-cum-Secretaries of various departments. Detailed reviews were conducted on expenditure patterns in infrastructure, agriculture, industry and social development sectors.

The Chief Secretary instructed officials to expedite fund utilisation and maintain close monitoring of ongoing schemes to ensure timely delivery of outcomes. Departments were also directed to promptly comply with observations and instructions issued by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi through official U.O.I. notes. Departments yet to submit compliance reports were asked to do so at the earliest.

During the meeting, a presentation on Jal Jeevan Mission-2.0 highlighted the government’s focus on ensuring uninterrupted rural drinking water supply through stronger inter-departmental coordination.

At the outset, Kirtivasan V. presented an ambitious roadmap for Ganjam district aligned with the State’s “Odisha Vision” goals. The proposals included development of Gopalpur as a world-class tourism destination, Bahuda deep-sea port, urban expansion of Berhampur, Aryapalli fishing harbour, the Pipalpanka irrigation project and six-laning of National Highway-16.

The roadmap also proposed mega piped water supply projects, upgradation of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital into an AIIMS-plus institution, establishment of a Textile Park, MSME and ancillary industry clusters, a Kalinga Stadium-model sports complex and a World Skill Centre.

Appreciating the comprehensive vision for Ganjam, Chief Secretary Anu Garg suggested measures for urban redevelopment to reduce congestion in Berhampur and emphasised the need for creation of MSME clusters to generate employment and reduce distress migration.