16th Finance Commission Visits Puri and Konark, Holds Key Meeting on Urban Development

Bhubaneswar: The 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, visited the holy city of Puri today as part of its four-day tour of Odisha. The delegation offered prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple before holding discussions with Puri Municipality functionaries on financial planning and urban development.

During the meeting at Puri Raj Bhavan, officials from the municipality presented key urban challenges, including sanitation, drainage, waste management, street lighting, and the need for improved infrastructure to accommodate the rising number of pilgrims visiting Puri. The Finance Commission took note of these concerns and assured that appropriate recommendations would be made to address them. Dr. Panagariya emphasized the importance of efficient financial planning and resource allocation to support urban infrastructure while preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Blue Flag Sea Beach in Puri, a recognition awarded for environmental sustainability and cleanliness. In the evening, they traveled to Konark’s Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness Odisha’s rich architectural and cultural legacy.

The visit saw the participation of several senior officials, including Odisha Finance Department’s Principal Secretary Saswata Mishra, Municipal Administration Director Arindam Dakua, Puri Collector Sidharth Sankar Swain, Puri SP Vinit Agrawal, and Finance Commission members Annie George Mathew, Ajay Narayan Jha, and Dr. Manoj Panda.