Housing and Urban Development Department Odisha has issued a major advisory promoting fuel conservation and prudent use of government resources amid global economic uncertainty and evolving international developments.
The advisory was issued in Bhubaneswar on May 16, 2026, under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee.
The move aligns with the call of Narendra Modi for sustainable resource management and energy conservation across government institutions.
Officials Asked To Adopt Vehicle Pooling
As part of the initiative, officers using official vehicles for meetings, inspections, field visits, and administrative duties have been advised to adopt “vehicle pooling” or “ride-sharing” practices wherever feasible.
The Department stated that shared transportation arrangements would help:
- Reduce avoidable fuel expenditure
- Improve administrative efficiency
- Support national energy conservation goals
- Encourage responsible use of public resources
Senior officials attending common meetings or events have been asked to coordinate transport pooling mechanisms.
Advisory Discourages Non-Essential Vehicle Use
The Department has also instructed officials and employees to avoid using government vehicles for lunch outings and other short-distance non-essential trips during office hours.
Instead, officers have been encouraged to use:
- Shared transport systems
- Walking for nearby destinations
- Environment-friendly travel alternatives for shorter distances
Officials believe these measures can collectively create a meaningful impact on fuel savings and operational efficiency.
Advisory Extended To Multiple Urban Agencies
The fuel conservation advisory has been circulated to several departments, urban bodies, and government organisations functioning under the H&UD Department.
These include:
- WATCO
- Odisha State Housing Board
- Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority
- Municipal Corporations
- Development Authorities
- Directorate of Municipal Administration
- Directorate of Town Planning
- Cuttack Urban Transport Corporation
- BMRCL
- UIDF
- OUHM
- OUA
- ORIET and other affiliated institutions
All organisations have been instructed to implement similar resource optimisation measures sincerely within their offices.
Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee urged officers and staff members to demonstrate administrative discipline and contribute actively towards addressing global economic and energy-related challenges.
Officials said the initiative reflects Odisha’s broader focus on sustainability, responsible governance, and efficient public administration during a period of rising global energy concerns.
