BDA approves inclusion of 143 new villages in urban expansion plan

Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to promote urban growth and infrastructure development, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has approved the inclusion of 143 new revenue villages within its jurisdiction.
This decision will bring the total number of villages under BDA’s purview from 569 to 712. The proposal, passed during the 150th Authority Meeting on Thursday, will now be forwarded to the State Government for further consideration under Section 3 of the Odisha Development Authority (ODA) Act, 1982.
The meeting, chaired by Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, also witnessed the participation of Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das, Jatni Municipality Chairman Ananta Behera, Khordha Municipality Chairman Kanak Laxmi Mohanty, and other key officials from the BDA and the H&UD Department.
With the inclusion of these 143 villages, the BDA aims to facilitate a more structured urban expansion and strengthen regional infrastructure. The expansion is crucial for addressing the challenges brought by rapid urbanization and to ensure systematic growth of the region. Currently, the BDA oversees four Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) — Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the municipalities of Khordha and Jatni, and the Pipili Notified Area Council (NAC), alongside nearby gram panchayat areas.
Since its inception in 1983, with oversight of just 116 revenue villages, the BDA has expanded several times, including notable expansions in 2002, 2003, and 2011. This latest move aligns with the city’s long-term urban planning strategy and ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and infrastructure.
In addition to the village expansion, the Authority also greenlit a land monetization proposal aimed at generating revenue for future development projects. Several land parcels have been earmarked for auction to fund BDA’s upcoming initiatives. These include new housing projects in Chandrasekharpur, Jagasara, and Sanapalla in Khordha, as well as the development of commercial space in Patia.
The meeting also highlighted plans for the development of key infrastructure projects, such as the Bhubaneswar Town Centre (BTC) at Master Canteen and the BDA City Centre, widely known as Nicco Park. Furthermore, the BDA unveiled a proposal to develop 24 Critical Development Plan (CDP) roads across the city. Among these, prominent roads include the approach road to the New Bhubaneswar Railway Station from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan Road in Raghunathpur, and the Chandaka-Khandagiri Road to Pitapalli-Baranga Road, which forms part of the city’s new development zone.
During the meeting, the BDA also approved a budget estimate of Rs 1,536.08 crore for the financial year 2025-26, alongside a revised budget estimate for 2024-25. These financial provisions will support the Authority’s ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at enhancing Bhubaneswar’s urban landscape.