Odisha Paves the Way for Economic Growth with Major Urban Reform
In a significant move towards transforming Odisha’s urban and economic landscape, the state Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982. This amendment will enable the creation of Economic Region Development Authorities (ERDAs), paving the way for integrated planning and development of major urban growth corridors.
A Comprehensive Framework for Economic Growth
The proposed amendment, brought by the Housing and Urban Development Department, aims to establish a comprehensive statutory framework for planning and managing economic regions that span multiple districts and urban centres. This move is expected to promote coordinated infrastructure development, attract investment, generate employment, and improve public services. The amendment seeks to introduce new provisions in the ODA Act, recognising the terms “Economic Region” and “Economic Region Development Authority”.
Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region: A Pilot Model
The Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip Economic Region (BKPPER) has been identified as the first economic region to be developed under the new framework. An economic plan for BKPPER has already been prepared in collaboration with NITI Aayog, serving as a pilot model for future regional development across Odisha. This region brings together the state capital, major industrial and port infrastructure, cultural and religious destinations, and logistics hubs into a unified economic corridor.
A Seamless Governance Framework
The amendment will create a durable and scalable institutional framework to oversee planning and coordination among multiple development authorities operating within a single economic region. This is expected to ensure seamless governance across municipal boundaries and facilitate region-wide implementation of infrastructure and development projects. The reform will empower the state government to notify and establish ERDAs without requiring separate legislation for each new economic region.
Aligning with Vision 2036 and 2047
The initiative aligns with Odisha’s Vision 2036 and Vision 2047, which identify urbanisation as a key driver of economic growth and advocate the development of city clusters as integrated economic corridors with modern infrastructure, employment opportunities, and efficient public services. Besides BKPPER, the state has envisioned future economic regions comprising the Bargarh–Jharsuguda–Sambalpur, Berhampur–Chhatrapur–Gopalpur, and Jeypore–Koraput–Sunabeda urban agglomerations, along with other regions that may be notified by the government in a phased manner.
National Recognition for BKPPER
The Cabinet note also highlighted that the Union Budget 2026-27 recognised four City Economic Regions as future engines of economic growth in the country. Among them is Odisha’s BKPPER, alongside Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Surat in Gujarat, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. This recognition is expected to provide greater momentum to the state’s efforts to develop BKPPER as a major economic growth hub.
Focusing on Investment, Jobs, and Better Urban Services
Integrated economic planning across urban clusters will help leverage regional strengths, improve infrastructure planning, attract private investment, and create employment opportunities. The proposed framework aims to strengthen housing, transport networks, public utilities, and overall quality of life by enabling coordinated planning beyond the limits of individual municipal authorities.
A New Era for Odisha’s Economic Growth
Once the amendment receives approval from the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip Economic Region (BKPPER) is expected to become the state’s first officially constituted Economic Region under the new legal framework, laying the foundation for similar integrated development models across Odisha. This major urban reform is set to propel Odisha towards a brighter economic future, with a focus on investment, jobs, and better urban services.