Odisha H&UD Dept drives fuel efficiency advisory for sustainable resource use initiative

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 16, 2026

In view of ongoing global economic uncertainty and evolving international conditions, the Odisha Government’s Housing and Urban Development Department has released a significant advisory encouraging prudent and mindful utilisation of government resources, especially official vehicles and fuel usage management efficiency.

Acting on the Prime Minister’s call for sustainable resource management and energy conservation, the initiative has been undertaken under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee strong leadership.

As part of cost-saving and efficiency-driven measures, the Department has advised officers using official vehicles for meetings, inspections, field visits and other official engagements to adopt vehicle pooling or ride-sharing practices wherever feasible arrangements.

The advisory states that such collective transport arrangements will significantly reduce avoidable fuel expenditure, strengthen administrative efficiency and contribute meaningfully towards national energy conservation efforts, while senior officers attending meetings or events will coordinate the pooling mechanism.

The Department has also urged officers and employees to refrain from using official vehicles for lunch outings or other non-essential short-distance personal convenience trips during office hours, instead encouraging officials to opt for shared transport and eco-friendly alternatives for shorter distances effectively.

The advisory has been extended beyond the State Secretariat to all agencies and organisations operating under the Department, including EIC (PH), Directorate of Municipal Administration, Directorate of Town Planning, Valuation Organisation, all Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities, SUDs, OSSSB, UIDF, OSHB, Cuttack Urban Transport Corporation, BMRCL, WATCO, OUHM, OUA, ORIET and ORERA.

All these organisations have been directed to implement similar fuel conservation and resource optimisation measures in their respective offices with sincerity and commitment.

Through this collective and responsible initiative, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee has called upon all officers and employees to demonstrate exemplary administrative discipline and actively contribute towards addressing current global economic and energy-related challenges collectively.