Odisha Charts Ambitious Course for Planned Urban Development under ‘Biksit Odisha 2036’ Vision

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban growth as part of its ambitious ‘Biksit Odisha 2036’ vision. During a high-level review meeting held at Kharavela Bhavan, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra outlined the state’s plans to expand planned townships and revitalize older cities, emphasizing urbanization as a key driver of Odisha’s future growth.

In his address, Dr. Mahapatra highlighted the need for a transformative approach to urban development, pointing out that only 17% of Odisha’s urban areas currently consist of planned townships. He announced the government’s goal of increasing this figure to 30% through the construction of new cities and the renovation of existing urban centers. The Minister stressed that these efforts aim to enhance living standards, simplify urbanization processes, and address infrastructural challenges in older cities where inadequate roads and utilities have constrained housing construction.

During the meeting, Dr. Mahapatra praised the success of the Town Planning (TP) scheme implemented by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority and announced plans to replicate this initiative in other urban areas, including Greater Sambalpur and Greater Rourkela. The Minister directed development authorities to leverage government-owned land through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to expedite urban infrastructure projects and generate additional revenue.

The state government also emphasized its commitment to resolving procedural barriers in housing development, ensuring that developers and citizens can navigate registration and construction processes with ease. Comprehensive infrastructure projects, such as sewage and drainage systems in Berhampur, were also identified as priorities to support the state’s rapid urbanization.

Dr. Mahapatra highlighted the importance of professional expertise in urban planning, announcing that vacant positions within development authorities would be filled to ensure the effective implementation of these initiatives. He called for a proactive approach from all stakeholders to address challenges and unlock Odisha’s urban potential.

The meeting also saw Principal Secretary Usha Padhee emphasizing the pivotal role of the Housing and Urban Development Department in shaping Odisha’s urban future. She urged development authorities to adopt a people-centric approach and adapt to evolving urban needs, ensuring that the vision for Biksit Odisha 2036 aligns with the aspirations of its citizens.

The review meeting was attended by senior officials, including Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Special Secretaries Debashis Singh and Sushant Mishra, and Vice Chairpersons from various development authorities, including representatives from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Puri-Konark, Kalinganagar, Paradip, and Talcher-Angul-Naraj.