BDA approves ₹1,536 crore budget, expands jurisdiction to 143 new villages
Editor
Bhubaneswar, April 3: The 150th Authority Meeting of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) was held today under the chairmanship of Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Public Enterprises, and BDA Chairman.
The meeting was attended by Babu Singh, MLA of Ekamra, Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Ananta Behera, Chairman of Jatni Municipality, Kanak Laxmi Mohanty, Chairman of Khordha Municipality, Usha Padhi, Principal Secretary, H&UD Department, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Vice Chairman, BDA, Manas Ranjan Padhi, Secretary, BDA, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the budget estimate for the financial year 2025-26 and the revised estimate for 2024-25 were presented. The BDA approved an estimated budget of ₹1,536.08 crore for 2025-26.
In a major decision regarding urban expansion, the Authority approved the inclusion of 143 new revenue villages within its jurisdiction. Currently, BDA oversees four urban local bodies, namely Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Khordha Municipality, Jatni Municipality, and the Pipili Notified Area Council (NAC), along with several Gram Panchayats.
This expansion aims to promote systematic urban growth, improve infrastructure, and address challenges arising from rapid urbanization. Since its inception in 1983 with just 116 revenue villages, BDA has expanded multiple times, notably in 2002, 2003, and 2011. With this latest expansion, the number of villages under BDA’s jurisdiction will increase from 569 to 712. Following the Authority’s approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the State Government for consideration under Section 3 of the ODA Act, 1982.
To generate additional revenue, the Authority also approved a land monetization proposal, identifying several land parcels for auction. Additionally, BDA has decided to launch housing projects at Chandrasekharpur, Jagasara, and Sanapalla in Khordha, while also developing commercial spaces at Patia. The Bhubaneswar Town Centre (BTC) at Master Canteen and BDA City Centre (Nicco Park) will also be developed to enhance public amenities.
Furthermore, the Authority approved the development of 24 CDP roads across Bhubaneswar. These roads include the approach road to New Bhubaneswar Railway Station from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan Road in Raghunathpur, the Nuagaon-Kateni Road connecting to TP Scheme No. 08 and the proposed New City, and the Chandaka-Khandagiri Road to Pitapalli-Baranga Road, which also passes through TP Scheme No. 08 and the designated area for the New City.
These infrastructural developments aim to enhance connectivity and improve the city’s road network. The Authority’s decisions mark a significant step in Bhubaneswar’s planned expansion and sustainable urban development.
