Demand Grows to Appoint Engineer as Odisha Works Secretary

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Engineers’ Service Association (OESA) has intensified its demand to appoint an engineer as the Secretary of the Works Department. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the association urged the government to restore the tradition of appointing engineers to head the department, an engineering domain by nature and function.

Since 1974, engineers have been at the helm of the Works Department, steering major infrastructure development across Odisha. This tradition saw a break during the BJD government’s tenure when, in 2003-04, IAS officer Arabinda Behera was appointed as Works Secretary. After his brief stint, the post returned to engineers from 2004 to 2019. Under the leadership of Er. Subhendu Kumar Ray (2007–2013) and Er. Nalini Pradhan (2013–2019), the department achieved major milestones in road, bridge, and building projects.

Political Interference led to a Shift in 2019

In 2019, the BJD government once again disrupted the tradition by appointing IAS officer Kishan Kumar as Works Secretary. This decision was not backed by any cabinet resolution or formal policy. The aim was to keep tight political control over the department.

Projects Suffered Under Bureaucratic Leadership

Although the number of projects increased during Kishan Kumar’s tenure, the execution suffered. Projects were implemented in a scattered manner, leading to delays, inflated costs, and technical deviations. Lacking engineering expertise, the Secretary failed to motivate the department’s engineers or manage technical tasks effectively.

The department began outsourcing core responsibilities to private consultants. This shift drained hundreds of crores from the State exchequer. It also eroded in-house capabilities and accountability.

Engineer as Odisha Works Secretary

In its appeal, the OESA said engineering departments require technical vision, sound judgment, and professional oversight. “Only engineers can understand the complexities of infrastructure projects. Their education, experience, and training equip them to ensure timely, cost-effective, and sustainable outcomes,” the association noted.

The letter added that leadership by engineers fosters a culture of professionalism, innovation, and technical compliance—essential for long-term development goals.

Demand to Restore Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary Post

The OESA has strongly recommended reinstating the post of Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary for the Works Department. “We must bring back engineers to lead the department to uphold its professional standards and ensure Odisha’s infrastructure agenda moves in the right direction,” the letter stated.

CM Mohan Majhi’s Intervention Sought

OESA has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act on this long-standing issue. The association believes the restoration of an engineer as Works Secretary will strengthen project implementation, enhance accountability, and restore pride among the engineering fraternity of the State.