Latest news with #UshaPadhee
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State launches ANKUR to drive urban growth
Bhubaneswar: Housing and urban development department on Wednesday launched the Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanization and Reform (ANKUR) to catalyse inclusive, sustainable, and innovative urban growth across the state. MoUs were signed here on Wednesday between the department and six leading institutions and organisations working in the urban development ecosystem. Urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said ANKUR represents a collective promise to build cities that are efficient, smart, and above all, citizen-centric. "This is a movement towards a Viksit Odisha," he added. Secretary Usha Padhee said the genesis of ANKUR was not a single moment, but rather a series of reflections, conversations, and collaborations. "It was born from a growing realisation within our department that the pace and complexity of urbanisation in Odisha required new thinking, new partnerships, and new platforms," she added. As Odisha's urban population is projected to triple by 2036, ANKUR has been envisioned as a transformative platform to co-create resilient, liveable, and future-ready cities. It will strengthen four strategic pillars of urban development: capacity building, knowledge and research, implementation support, and innovation, said an official statement from the department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Write Better, Work Smarter With This Desktop App Grammarly Install Now Undo "ANKUR will serve as the institutional backbone to drive reform, innovation, and evidence-based urban decision-making in the state. With a commitment to decentralisation, inclusivity, and knowledge-led action, the initiative will foster a new era of urban partnerships ensuring that no city, and no citizen, is left behind," said the official statement.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Odisha govt launches ‘ANKUR' for inclusive and sustainable urbanisation
Bhubaneswar: The state Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UD) on Wednesday launched ANKUR – Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation & Reform, a strategic initiative designed to catalyse inclusive, sustainable, and innovative urban growth across the state. The department, in an official statement, termed the launch of the initiative as a landmark step towards redefining the future of urban development in Odisha. The H&UD Department has signed MoUs with six leading institutions and organisations working in the urban development ecosystem. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, the minister for Housing & Urban Development, who attended the event as Chief Guest, said, 'ANKUR" represents a collective promise, to build cities that are efficient, smart, and above all, citizen-centric. This is a movement towards a 'Viksit Odisha', co-authored by communities, institutions, and government alike.' Usha Padhee, the Principal Secretary, H&UD Department, also noted that the genesis of ANKUR was not a single moment, but rather a series of reflections, conversations, and collaborations. 'It was born from a growing realisation within our department that the pace and complexity of urbanisation in Odisha required new thinking, new partnerships, and new platforms. Over the past year, through internal consultations and engagements with experts, practitioners, and institutions across the country and beyond, a vision began to take shape. ANKUR emerged as an answer to those questions, a platform to co-create solutions, to institutionalise innovation, and to sustain partnerships that can carry us through the next decade of urban growth,' Padhee added. The department also highlighted that as Odisha's urban population is projected to triple by 2036, ANKUR has been envisioned as a transformative platform to co-create resilient, livable, and future-ready cities. Anchored in the values of collaborative governance, ANKUR aligns with the national aspiration of 'Viksit Bharat @2047', while responding to Odisha's unique socio-economic and urban context. The department claimed that it will strengthen four strategic pillars of urban development - capacity building, knowledge and research, implementation support and innovation. As per the official statement, ANKUR will serve as the institutional backbone to drive reform, innovation, and evidence-based urban decision-making in the state. The initiative is poised to become the nerve centre of Odisha's urban reform agenda. With a commitment to decentralisation, inclusivity, and knowledge-led action, the initiative will foster a new era of urban partnerships, ensuring that no city, and no citizen, is left behind.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt to hold brainstorming session to curb accidents
Bhubaneswar: State govt has decided to organise a 'chintan shivir' (brainstorming session) to curb the growing number of road accidents, transport officials said on Sunday. "Venue and schedule of the chintan shivir will be finalised by the govt. The initiative aims to bring together various stakeholders to formulate effective strategies for reducing road fatalities," transport secretary Usha Padhee said. Transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur said the proposed consultation programme will provide a platform to discuss and deliberate on road safety strategies. The brainstorming programme will include participation from road safety master trainers, investigation officers, healthcare professionals, educators and other stakeholders. "The session intends to strengthen their capabilities in advocating road safety and minimising accidents," Thakur said. Road accident deaths in Odisha increased by 7% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to Odisha police sources. Data showed fatalities rose to 6,142 in 2024 from 5,739 in 2023. Padhee said the proposed 'zero accident day' (ZAD) campaign will be launched soon with the help of IIT Madras, technical consultant of the Odisha govt on road safety matters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Making history: These 5 timepieces set world records at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025 CNA Read More Undo The campaign aims to transform the driving culture and promote road safety across the state. "ZAD involves massive awareness campaign in districts that witnessed a high number of deaths. Our approach combines psychological insights with practical solutions. We are not just creating rules; we need to understand why people make unsafe choices on roads and how to effectively change these patterns," a senior transport official said. IIT Madras has been advised by the transport department to analyse common traffic violations, accident-prone areas and factors contributing to road accidents. The institute will develop targeted interventions and awareness campaigns to promote safe driving habits.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Transport departments warn against unauthorised use of vehicle beacons in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR : The state government has asked the Odisha Police and three other departments to issue suitable instructions to the subordinate offices under their administrative control against using beacons on their vehicles without approval. The direction came following allegations regarding use of single coloured red, amber light and multi-coloured flickering lights by field functionaries, who are not authorised to use them. Principal secretary of the Commerce and Transport department Usha Padhee said, 'There have been restrictions on use of single colour amber/red light as per the provision U/R 108 (4) of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, relating to use of multi-coloured flickering light.' So far, the Transport Commissioner's office, authorised to issue permission, has not received any request from any department for grant of permission to use such lights on the official vehicles. 'In case the vehicles are used for the purposes as specified in the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, then they should use the multi-coloured light with due permission in the shape of a sticker from the Transport Commissioner,' the letter to the departments stated.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt directs officers to stop using ‘lal batti' on vehicles
Bhubaneswar: State govt has issued strict directives to its officers to stop using red beacons on their vehicles, reinforcing compliance with the Centre's nationwide ban implemented on May 1, 2017. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The govt has also asked departments like police and fire services to obtain permissions as per law from the transport department to use multi-coloured flickering beacons. The move comes following reports of alleged violations by several govt officials. In a letter addressed to all departments, transport secretary Usha Padhee has specified that only those vehicles involved in emergency response and disaster management operations — police, fire service, Army and ambulances — are permitted to display multi-coloured flashing lights only when they are on duty. In her letter, she highlighted the illegal use of red beacon, amber and multi-coloured flickering lights by "govt field functionaries" who are not authorised to use them. Padhee said, "Officials may use them with approval of the transport department." "As of now, the transport commissioner's office (authorised officer) has not received any request from any govt department for grant of permission. Suitable instructions may kindly be issued to the subordinate offices under your administrative control, not to use amber/red/blue light on their vehicles," the letter read. "In case the vehicles are used for emergency purposes, then they should use the multicolour light with due permission from the transport commissioner, Odisha," it said. On April 19, 2017, the Union Cabinet decided to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to end the use of red or any coloured beacon by all, including the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.
