Latest news with #UshaPadhee
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- General
- Time of India
Counselling sessions, road safety pledge for Crut crew
1 2 Bhubaneswar: In a bid to bolster road safety, Capital Region Urban Transport (Crut), which operates the Ama Bus services, has ramped up its 'Zero Accident Day' plans. The initiative focuses on daily counselling sessions and the administration of road safety pledge across all its depots and operational terminals. The efforts aim to sensitise crew members on safe driving practices, reinforce their responsibilities and foster a culture of accountability and care on the roads. Housing and urban development department's principal secretary Usha Padhee visited Crut's Naraj depot on Saturday, where she interacted with the crew members and administered the road safety pledge, urging them to uphold the highest standards of service. "Safety begins with us. As frontline service providers, Crut crew members carry the trust of thousands of citizens every day. Let us pledge to ensure that every journey is not just timely, but safe and dependable," she said. The sensitisation and awareness session holds significance, especially following the introduction of 100 new e-buses to its existing fleet, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. With the additions, Crut has decided to operate the buses on eight new routes. Padhee also emphasised the message of 'Come Home Safe', highlighting the importance of not only passenger safety but also the well-being of crew members and their families. She encouraged the staff to deliver services that inspire confidence and trust among commuters. The 'Zero Accident Day' campaign aims to significantly reduce road accidents, improve driving discipline, and enhance the overall commuting experience in the capital region. "Crut remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and inclusive public transport while ensuring the safety of its workforce and the public it serves," a statement from Crut read.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
As waterborne diseases rise, govt takes measures ahead of Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: Keeping Rath Yatra in mind, the state govt on Wednesday reviewed the public health bodies' preparedness following the recent cases of waterborne disease in some districts. A high-level meeting, chaired by housing and urban development secretary Usha Padhee, was held in Puri, focusing on strengthening measures to ensure clean drinking water, safe food and overall hygiene in Puri during the annual festival. According to a decision taken during the meeting, the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) will carry out random testing of water samples from both public and private sources, including overhead tanks, tube wells and packaged water units. To support on-the-spot testing, a mobile lab-on-wheel will be stationed in Puri. "Disinfection of all water sources is being done and will be intensified further in the coming days. In addition, jalasathis will collect water samples directly from households for testing, which is expected to expand surveillance coverage and build confidence among the citizens regarding water safety," the official statement from the housing and urban development department said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Food safety officers are actively inspecting restaurants, hotels and street food vendors to ensure hygiene. In view of the heavy footfall expected during Rath Yatra, the department has requested the health department to deploy additional food safety officers to strengthen inspections across the city, the department's official statement stated. Puri municipality has been asked to intensify campaigns on safe drinking water and hygienic food through loudspeaker announcements. Following this, enforcement teams will conduct checks on unhygienic practices and littering, particularly in areas around the beach.
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.
