Odisha ACS Explores Global Housing Models in Chennai, Delivers Lecture at IIT Madras
Odisha Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Usha Padhee led a high‑level delegation to Chennai on February 12, 2026, to study innovative housing initiatives supported by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The team examined Tamil Nadu’s World Bank‑backed Housing and Habitat Development Project, worth USD 200 million, which leverages the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund to attract private investment for affordable housing targeting economically weaker sections.
They also reviewed the ADB‑supported Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Housing Project, with an outlay of USD 150 million, aimed at constructing 6,000 housing units, relocating families from vulnerable areas, and integrating energy‑efficient designs, waste management, and social infrastructure.
During her visit, Padhee delivered a lecture at IIT Madras titled “The Intersection of Technology, Policy, and Public Service.” She emphasised the importance of data‑driven governance, AI integration, and ethical leadership in urban development.
Encouraging students to pursue careers in public policy and the Civil Services, she highlighted empathy and ethics as essential complements to technical expertise.
The insights gained from Tamil Nadu’s housing models and academic engagement are expected to help Odisha design inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban strategies for the future.
