Odisha is known for its cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and wildlife sanctuaries. Soon, the state would be known for its hi-tech cities as well! Odisha has proposed plans to create a mega metropolitan region in the state that will be spread over 7,000 sq km, and here’s all you need to know about it.
Odisha Plans To Develop A Mega-Metropolitan Region
During the 10th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the idea to develop a mega metropolitan region that will integrate six major cities in the state. According to Swarajya’s report, these cities are Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khordha, Jatani, Paradip, and Puri.
In a move to reshape Odisha’s urban future, the proposed urban cluster will be spread across approximately 7,000 sq km. Reportedly, the proposed mega-metropolitan region in Odisha will rival the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region. This expansive vision, reportedly, forms the core of Odisha’s strategy to increase its urbanisation rate.
The state plans to go from the current 17% to 40% by 2036, and then 60% by 2047. This proposal also aligns with the state’s broader economic goals. They plan on achieving a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047.
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More About This Ambitious Urban Expansion Project
A key focus of Odisha’s mega-metropolitan region will be the expansion and modernisation of Bhubaneswar. Understanding the issues like urban congestion, housing shortages, and outdated infrastructure, the authorities launched the Town Planning Scheme to develop the city. They plan to reimagine the city as a modern urban centre with widened jurisdiction. The state government plans to bring more areas under the scheme and extend Bhubaneswar’s administrative limits.
The aim of this new mega-metro region in Odisha is urban efficiency. The government will integrate local administrative units and corporations for not just physical expansion but smoother administrative development as well. The much-talked-about Tri-City project connecting Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri is expected to form the heart of this project.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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