The Odisha government has kickstarted a significant urban reorganisation drive, initiating the process to expand two major municipal corporations while elevating the holy town of Puri to metropolitan status. The move, aimed at strengthening urban governance and infrastructure, hinges on public consent from residents of numerous villages.
Public Consultation for Municipal Expansion
The state's Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, announced on Friday that the government is seeking public opinion for the proposed expansion of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Views are being solicited from residents of 26 revenue villages under 7 gram panchayats. The expansion will only proceed after receiving consent from these affected communities.
Some of the key villages identified for inclusion in the BMC include Sijua, Sijiput, Naragoda, Tamando, and Bijipur.
In a parallel move, the government is also gathering feedback for the expansion of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. Opinions are being sought from people living in 34 revenue villages under 12 gram panchayats. Villages like Ranpur, Reijhol, Jagdalpur, Pathra, and Tura are among those proposed for inclusion.
Puri Declared a Metropolitan City
In a landmark announcement, Minister Mahapatra declared that Puri has been officially designated as a metropolitan city. This status paves the way for large-scale, planned urban development across the town and its adjoining areas.
The minister outlined that a comprehensive Town Planning (TP) Scheme will be implemented in the Puri Metropolitan Region to ensure systematic and sustainable growth. The plan includes the development of:
- Multipurpose market complexes
- Parks and open spaces
- Adequate parking facilities
"Puri is our identity. The state government will ensure that there is no shortage of funds for its development," Mahapatra asserted.
Funding for New Urban Local Bodies
Highlighting the government's commitment to urban governance, the minister stated that since assuming office, the BJP government has created 28 new Notified Area Councils (NACs), 7 municipalities, and 1 metropolitan city.
Substantial funds have been allocated for these new entities:
- Each new NAC received Rs 50 lakh for roads, sanitation, and basic civic amenities.
- Rs 6 crore was earmarked for the construction of office buildings for the NACs.
- Similar financial provisions were made for the 7 new municipalities.
For Puri, which was recently upgraded to a municipal corporation, the government has sanctioned Rs 2 crore for sanitation and drainage works and an additional Rs 1 crore for street lighting projects.
Mahapatra emphasized that urban reorganisation is a continuous process, and the government will consider all genuine demands in the future. This announcement strategically comes ahead of the census process scheduled to start this year.
Residents Welcome the Move
The proposed expansion has been met with approval from residents of the affected villages. Priyanka Bhoi, a resident of Sijua, welcomed the move, stating, "It was a long-standing demand for inclusion of our area in BMC. We will be getting better sanitation and other civic services."
The state government's multi-pronged approach—expanding existing corporations, creating new urban bodies, and conferring metropolitan status—signals a major push towards planned urban development and improved civic service delivery across Odisha.
