Odisha Launches ₹4,879 Crore ‘Samrudha Sahar’ Scheme to Boost Urban Infrastructure and Economic Growth

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken a decisive step toward transforming its urban landscape with the launch of the ‘Samrudha Sahar’ scheme—a flagship initiative aimed at promoting planned urbanisation and positioning cities as engines of economic and regional development.

The scheme, which received Cabinet approval on Tuesday under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, carries a total financial outlay of ₹4,879.30 crore and forms a key component of the state’s Vikshit Odisha 2036 Vision. It is designed to foster structured urban growth and enhance infrastructure in rapidly expanding towns and peri-urban areas.

Structured around two key components—Town Planning Scheme and Cities as Growth Hubs—the initiative seeks to address both the physical infrastructure and economic potential of urban centres across Odisha.

Under the Town Planning Scheme, the government will consolidate and reorganise land in peri-urban zones through scientific urban planning. The reconstituted land will be equipped with critical infrastructure such as road networks, piped water supply, sewerage systems, and solid waste management. This model aims to lay the groundwork for sustainable, livable cities with efficient land use.

The Cities as Growth Hubs component will focus on catalyzing economic transformation by developing industrial townships, integrated economic clusters, and urban corridors. These growth hubs will attract private investment, generate employment, and create self-sustaining economic ecosystems within the urban framework.

State officials highlighted that the Samrudha Sahar scheme will not only streamline urbanisation but also contribute to reducing the rural-urban divide by encouraging balanced development across regions.

Describing the initiative as a “landmark step,” the Housing and Urban Development Department stated that the scheme reflects Odisha’s ambition to build future-ready cities that are economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable.

By integrating statutory town planning mechanisms and aligning with both central and state schemes, the Odisha government aims to empower urban local bodies and planning authorities, improve mobility, and unlock the full potential of urban centres across the state.

As Odisha charts its path to becoming a developed state by 2036, the Samrudha Sahar scheme is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s urban future—driving inclusive growth, improving quality of life, and positioning its cities as competitive hubs in the national economy.