Odisha is exploring international models to strengthen its affordable housing and urban development strategies.
On February 12, 2026, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Smt. Usha Padhee led a knowledge-sharing visit to Chennai, focusing on initiatives supported by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
The Odisha delegation interacted with the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). They studied policy frameworks, financing models, and project structuring methods. The team reviewed the World Bank-backed Housing and Habitat Development Project, worth USD 200 million, which uses the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund to mobilise private investment for Economically Weaker Sections.
They also examined the ADB-supported Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Housing for the Urban Poor Project, with an outlay of USD 150 million. This program aims to build 6,000 housing units, relocate families from vulnerable areas, and integrate energy-efficient designs, waste management, and social infrastructure.
Later, Smt. Padhee delivered an Extra Mural Lecture at IIT Madras titled “The Intersection of Technology, Policy, and Public Service.” She emphasised data-driven governance, AI integration, and ethical leadership in tackling urban challenges. Encouraging students to consider careers in public policy and the Civil Services, she highlighted empathy and ethics as vital alongside technical skills.
She noted that insights from Tamil Nadu’s housing initiatives and academic engagement would help Odisha design inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban strategies.
