The Odisha government has taken a decisive step towards the creation of a 'Greater Berhampur' by initiating the process to merge 34 revenue villages into the existing Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC). This significant urban expansion move was set in motion with an official notification issued by the state's Housing and Urban Development Department on Wednesday.
Notification and Public Consultation Process
The government notification formally declares the intention to include these villages within the BeMC limits. It also opens a window for public feedback, inviting objections and suggestions from the affected residents. People have 30 days from the date of the notification's publication to submit their responses in writing. These can be filed either directly with the Housing and Urban Development Department or through the office of the Ganjam District Collector.
Villages and Panchayats Set for Merger
The expansion plan encompasses a total of 14 gram panchayats from the Digapahandi and Kukudakhandi blocks. The specific villages to be merged are spread across these panchayats:
- Ankushapur (5 villages)
- Dakhinapur (3 villages)
- Anantai (5 villages)
- Lathi (2 villages)
- Jagadalpur (1 village)
- Nimakhandi (1 village)
- Luchapada (1 village)
- Dura (3 villages)
- Gaunju (4 villages)
- Phulta (3 villages)
- Satakutuni (2 villages)
- Bhabinipur (1 village)
- Haladiapadara (1 village)
- Bada Kusasthali (2 villages)
The groundwork for this merger was laid earlier when the respective panchayats passed resolutions agreeing to the move. Similarly, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation had also given its consent in its corporation meetings to absorb these adjoining areas.
Political Welcome and Long-Standing Demand
The move has been welcomed by local leaders and activists. Senior BJP leader Kanhu Charan Pati termed it as "the government's New Year gift to Berhampur." The initiative fulfills a long-standing demand by local groups, most notably the Saharatali Kriyaanustan Committee, which had been agitating for several years for the merger of adjoining panchayats with the BeMC.
"We are very happy as the government issued the notification to merge 14 panchayats," said Sudesh Patra, a leader of the committee. Berhampur Mayor Sanghamitra Dalei also welcomed the state government's initiative to expand the civic body's limits. She emphasized the need for enhanced resources, stating, "We have urged the government to allocate funds and manpower to provide better services to the residents of the added areas."
The plan for Greater Berhampur was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during his recent visit to the city. The expansion is expected to streamline urban governance, facilitate integrated planning, and extend improved civic amenities to a larger population, marking a new chapter in Berhampur's development.
