Bhubaneswar: The declaration of Puri as a metropolitan city will usher in large-scale, planned urban development across the temple town and its surrounding areas, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said the Puri Metropolitan Region will include adjoining areas, where a comprehensive Town Planning (TP) Scheme will be implemented to ensure systematic and sustainable urban growth. He said multipurpose market complexes, parks, open spaces and adequate parking facilities will be developed as part of the integrated plan.
Mahapatra said that after the BJP government assumed office in the State, it has honoured its commitment to strengthen urban governance by creating 28 new Notified Area Councils (NACs), seven municipalities and one metropolitan city. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik for their leadership and support in advancing the urban development agenda.
The Minister informed that Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been given temporary administrative charge of the 28 newly created NACs, and Executive Officers will be appointed shortly. Each new NAC has been provided ₹50 lakh for roads, sanitation and basic civic amenities. The State Government will also provide ₹6 crore for the construction of office buildings for each NAC, for which a model Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared. Similar financial provisions have been made for the seven newly constituted municipalities.
Emphasising the government’s special focus on Puri, Mohapatra said that following its upgradation to a Municipal Corporation, ₹2 crore has been sanctioned for sanitation and drainage works, while ₹1 crore has been allocated for street lighting. “Puri is our identity. The State Government will ensure that there is no shortage of funds for its development,” he said.
The Minister further stated that public opinion has been sought from residents of 26 revenue villages under seven gram panchayats for the proposed expansion of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). The expansion process will proceed after receiving their consent. Similarly, the views of people from 34 revenue villages under 12 gram panchayats have been sought for the proposed expansion of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation.
Mohapatra added that since the census process is scheduled to commence this year, the State Government announced the formation of new NACs, municipalities and municipal corporations before December 31. As urban reorganisation is a continuous process, the government will consider all genuine and relevant demands that may arise in the days ahead, he added.
