Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department held an in-depth discussion today to explore opportunities for a deeper and more strategic collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the areas of urban development and mobility.
The meeting, chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the H&UD Department, focused on accelerating Odisha’s urban transformation through enhanced cooperation in infrastructure development, sustainable mobility, and resilient urban planning. Both parties discussed the creation of joint committees to ensure effective monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and integrated project management, aimed at facilitating faster, smarter, and more transparent implementation of urban initiatives.
A delegation from the ADB, including Sougat Dasgupta and Abhisek Mukherjee, expressed ADB’s commitment to a long-term partnership with the State of Odisha. The team indicated their intent to extend technical and financial support beyond urban development and mobility to related sectors such as commerce and transport, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Padhee acknowledged ADB’s ongoing engagement in Odisha’s development journey and emphasised the State Government’s vision of creating future-ready, resilient, and people-centric cities. She highlighted the department’s emphasis on integrated planning, innovation-driven governance, and sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life across urban areas.
Special Secretary Rajesh Pravakar Patil was also present during the discussion.
