Bhubaneswar: In view of the prevailing global energy crisis and the evolving international situation, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department of the Odisha government has issued an important advisory promoting prudent and conscious use of resources, particularly official vehicles and fuel.

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

Thrust on ‘vehicle pooling’ or ‘ride-sharing’

As part of the cost-saving and efficiency-enhancing 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.

The advisory states that such collective transport arrangements will help significantly reduce avoidable fuel expenditure, strengthen administrative efficiency and contribute meaningfully towards national energy conservation efforts. 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, officials are encouraged to opt for shared transport and environment-friendly alternatives for shorter distances.

Advisory also applicable for all agencies under H&UD Dept

The advisory has been extended beyond the state secretariat to all agencies and organisations functioning under the H&UD 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 instructed to implement similar fuel conservation and resource optimisation measures in their respective offices with sincerity and commitment.

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