A transformational 11-day orientation programme for 56 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) of the Public Health Cadre concluded today at the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA), marking a significant stride toward strengthening urban governance and infrastructure delivery in the state.
The valedictory session centered on embedding professional competence, ethical conduct, and a citizen-first mindset into public health engineering. Usha Padhee, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, addressed the newly inducted engineers, emphasizing the vital role civil engineers play in nation-building.
Outlining three indispensable pillars—Service, Competence, and Ethics—ACS Padhee urged the participants to ground their careers in professional integrity, accountability, and technical rigor. Highlighting the critical nature of the water supply sector, she called upon the engineers to work relentlessly toward guaranteeing safe, reliable, and high-quality drinking water for every citizen across Odisha. She stressed that engineering excellence is incomplete without ethical decision-making and total transparency.
Designed to enhance institutional capacity and administrative capability, the 11-day training equipped engineers for complex field responsibilities. Dynamic sessions covered crucial operational domains, including the Odisha Financial Rules, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, public procurement protocols, contract management, and administrative ethics. These modules aim to bolster financial discipline and streamline infrastructure execution.
The event witnessed active participation from senior dignitaries, including Dilip Kumar Routray (Retd. IAS); Suvendu Kumar Sahoo, Director, OUA; Bilash Kumar Behera, Engineer-in-Chief, PHEO; and Dr. S. Peppin, Capacity Building Consultant.
By equipping young engineers with administrative clarity and a strong value system, the initiative reinforces Odisha’s commitment to sustainable urban development and transparent, efficient public service delivery.
