Bhubaneswar: The Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department today launched a two-day capacity-building programme for around 60 city engineers, town planners and consultants representing 25 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Odisha.

The programme aims to strengthen technical capabilities, promote knowledge sharing, and enhance the planning, execution and monitoring of urban infrastructure projects under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY).

The programme, launched at the Odisha Urban Academy, comprises technical sessions on project planning, engineering best practices, quality assurance, contract management, project monitoring and timely execution of urban infrastructure works. It is designed to equip technical officials with the knowledge and practical skills required for efficient implementation of development projects while encouraging greater collaboration and exchange of best practices among ULBs.

As part of the inaugural programme, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, chaired a comprehensive review meeting on the progress of projects being implemented under MSBY. Officials from all 25 participating ULBs presented detailed updates on the physical and financial progress of ongoing works, highlighting achievements, implementation challenges and timelines for completion.

Reviewing the progress, Padhee emphasised the need to remove implementation bottlenecks, strengthen project monitoring, improve inter-departmental coordination and ensure strict adherence to quality standards. She directed the ULBs to resolve field-level issues in a time-bound manner so that projects are completed within the stipulated timelines.

Addressing the participants, the Additional Chief Secretary highlighted the crucial role of city engineers, town planners and consultants in building sustainable, resilient and citizen-centric urban infrastructure. She stressed meticulous planning, regular field inspections, efficient utilisation of resources and adoption of innovative engineering practices to ensure durable, high-quality public assets. She urged all participating ULBs to closely monitor project milestones and maintain the highest standards of execution under MSBY.

Director, Municipal Administration, Arindam Dakua, and Additional Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Rabindra Kumar Sahu, also interacted with the participants and emphasised the importance of timely execution, quality assurance and effective project management.

The second phase of the programme will be held tomorrow with technical officials from another 25 Urban Local Bodies participating in the training.