143 new revenue villages under BDA, expanding Bhubaneswar’s urban reach

Bhubaneswar: The 150th authority meeting of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) was held today, chaired by Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Housing & Urban Development and BDA Chairman.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Babu Singh, Ekamra MLA, Sulochana Das, BMC Mayor, Usha Padhi, Department Secretary, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, BDA Vice Chairman, and Manas Ranjan Padhi, BDA Secretary, among others.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of the inclusion of 143 new revenue villages into BDA’s jurisdiction, marking a significant step in the city’s urban expansion efforts. Currently, BDA governs four Urban Local Bodies: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the municipalities of Khordha and Jatni, the Pipili Notified Area Council (NAC), and surrounding Gram Panchayat areas.

This latest expansion will now bring the total number of villages under BDA’s jurisdiction from 569 to 712, further supporting the city’s planned growth.Officials noted that this move aims to foster systematic urban development, enhance infrastructure, and better manage the challenges associated with rapid urbanization.

Since its establishment in 1983 with just 116 revenue villages, BDA has expanded several times, with notable expansions in 2002, 2003, and 2011. The addition of these 143 new villages is in line with the city’s broader strategic urban planning and infrastructure development goals, which include improving regional connectivity.

Following the approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the State Government for consideration under Section 3 of the Odisha Development Authority (ODA) Act, 1982.

In addition to the expansion, the BDA also approved the budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26, set at ₹1,536.08 crore, and the revised estimate for 2024-25. As part of its revenue-generating initiatives, the BDA has also approved land monetization efforts, identifying several land patches for auction to support infrastructure development.

The authority also discussed upcoming housing projects in Chandrasekharpur, Jagasara, and Sanapalla in Khordha, along with plans for commercial space development at Patia.

Additionally, the development of the Bhubaneswar Town Centre (BTC) at Master Canteen and BDA City Centre (Nicco Park) was also approved.

The meeting concluded with the approval of 24 new Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) roads across the city, including major routes like the approach road to the New Bhubaneswar Railway Station from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan Road, and the road connecting Nuagaon-Kateni Road to the designated area for the New City.

Other important roads include the Chandaka-Khandagiri Road to Pitapalli-Baranga Road, which will enhance connectivity in the expanding urban areas.These initiatives are expected to significantly improve infrastructure, boost urban development, and streamline the city’s growth, ensuring that Bhubaneswar continues to evolve as a modern, well-connected urban center.