Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday reviewed the performance of the Rural Development Department, with Minister Rabi Narayan Naik directing officials to set higher targets and improve efficiency in the coming year.
The review meeting, held at the office of the Chief Engineer in the capital, assessed achievements for 2025–26 and outlined a roadmap for 2026–27. The department reported utilisation of 89.45 per cent of allocated funds during the last financial year.
Odisha ranked eighth in the country in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), while securing the top position nationally in the use of new technologies and materials in road construction, informed Yamini Sarangi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, while presenting the department’s performance.
Emphasising the need to build on past performance, the minister urged officials to aim higher and work with greater commitment to surpass existing benchmarks. He also directed that tender processes be completed before the monsoon so that projects can begin without delay after the rains.
The meeting reviewed road connectivity in remote areas under ‘Mission Power’, with a focus on identifying unconnected habitations and accelerating work within set timelines. Progress under Mukhyamantri Sadak Yojana and other projects was also assessed, with instructions to ensure equitable development across regions.
The minister stressed that maintenance of existing rural roads is as important as new construction, noting that quality infrastructure strengthens public trust.
Senior officials and division heads attended the meeting and shared updates on ongoing works.
