Subhechcha Ganguly 
V V Yadav is a 1996-batch IAS officer who is currently serving as the Principal Secretary of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department and the Principal Secretary of Works Department in Odisha. He took charge of the Works Department in March 2022, after his predecessor Dr. Krishan Kumar was relieved for Central deputation.
As the head of the Works Department, Yadav is responsible for overseeing the planning, design, construction and maintenance of various infrastructure projects in the state, such as roads, bridges, buildings and public works. He is also involved in implementing flagship schemes and programmes of the state and central governments, such as Odisha State Road Project, World Bank Project and National Highways Project.
Yadav has a rich and varied experience as a seasoned bureaucrat, having served in various capacities in different departments and districts of Odisha. In his capacity as the Principal Secretary of works department, he is committed to stage a turnaround in Odisha’s road infrastructure.
At a recent press conference, Yadav said that some of the Major Bridge projects completed are Gurupriya Bridge in Malkangiri, at Nelson Mandela square over Mahanadi in Sambalpur district, T-Bridge at Gopinathpur over river Mahanadi in Cuttack district, Madhusudan Setu over Mahanadi in Cuttack district, Near Jatamundia over Mahanadi in Cuttack district, Subash Bose Setu over Kathajodi in Cuttack district, near Rengali over river Ib in Jharsuguda district, Baji Rout Setu over Brahmani in Dhenkanal district, near Jenapur over Brahmani in Jajpur district, near Sankharisahi over Bilua Khai in Jagatsinghpur district, near Gumuda over Bansadhara in Rayagada district.
Under Yadav’s stewardship, a significant amount of road infrastructure has been improved in Odisha, with a total of 21,815 kilometers of road length undergoing enhancements. This includes the construction of 518 bridges, 21 railway overbridges (ROBs), and 3 flyovers.
Several major road projects have been successfully completed as part of this effort. For instance, the Sambalpur-Rourkela Road, spanning 163 kilometers, has been expanded to four lanes. The Cuttack-Paradip CC Road, covering 82 kilometers, has also been widened. Additionally, four 2-lane roads have been developed under the Odisha State Road Project, namely Bhawanipatna-Khariar, Anandapur-Bhadrak-Chandbali, Berhampur-Taptapani, and Jagatpur-Chandbali. Furthermore, a 1,200-kilometer 2-lane road known as the Vijayawada-Ranchi Corridor, stretching from Motu in Malkangiri to Tiring in Mayurbhanj, has been completed.
Yadav is a capable and results-oriented officer, never shying away from implementing much-needed reforms. V.V. Yadav has earned recognition for his transformative initiatives in the fields of food supplies and consumer welfare. One remarkable achievement is the introduction of technology-driven automation in crop procurement. The Paddy Procurement Automation System (PPAS) stands as a shining example of this success, revolutionizing the way paddy is procured. Building on this triumph, the state government has now embarked on another groundbreaking endeavor—the Millet Procurement Automation System (MPAS). These systems have become beacons of success, bringing about significant reforms in procurement and supply processes.
Systems like PPAS and MPAS have revolutionized the entire process of bringing food from the farm to our tables. Thanks to Yadav’s visionary leadership, the journey from plough to plate is now smooth and free from exploitative middlemen. A technology-driven system has been put in place, ensuring that genuine farmers can sell their produce and receive fair compensation. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is directly transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts within a mere 72 hours, streamlining the lives of both procurement agencies and farmers themselves. This system, integrated with blockchain technology, is a precise and decisive blow against fraud and duplication. This is like building a sturdy bridge with strong foundations; it may take time and effort to construct, but once it is in place it is sure to stand the test of time and provide reliable support.
In addition to his primary administrative duties, Yadav has demonstrated exceptional skill in crisis management. He was entrusted with the crucial role of overseeing the response to the devastating cyclone Yaas and the battle against the relentless Covid pandemic. As one of the trusted senior officers, he fearlessly led the charge, navigating through the turbulent waters of these unprecedented challenges. His astute decision-making, unwavering dedication, and resolute leadership have been instrumental in steering the state through these tumultuous times. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “Good leaders inspire people to have confidence in their leader. Great leaders inspire people to have confidence in themselves.”
