22 Feb 2026

Residents of Bhubaneswar's GGP Colony have raised complaints that a developer is encroaching on a common road and parts of the residential complex for a new construction project. Heavy vehicles and unauthorised commercial use of common areas have reduced parking and disrupted daily life. Despite inspection reports and favourable orders from ORERA and an ODA court, residents say authorities have not acted on the ground. Their letters to the state housing department were forwarded to civic agencies, but enforcement remains slow, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring of encroachments in the city.Read more

19 Feb 2026

The National Highways Authority of India has received strong bidder participation for the 111-km, six-lane Capital Region Ring Road planned around Bhubaneswar. A total of 64 bids were submitted across three construction packages under the Hybrid Annuity Mode, indicating solid interest from infrastructure developers. The project, estimated to cost INR 8,307 crore, has most land acquisition and statutory clearances already in place, allowing NHAI to move towards awarding contracts and starting construction as scheduled.Read more

15 Feb 2026

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has come under sharp criticism after it approved a building plan for a structure that was previously marked for demolition, prompting public outrage and demands for accountability. Local activists and residents said the decision raised questions about transparency and administrative oversight in the city's land-use planning processes. Critics highlighted broader concerns over illegal and unauthorised structures in Bhubaneswar, noting that a large number of constructions have been identified without proper approval, while enforcement actions have been uneven. Urban governance experts linked the controversy to longstanding issues of building plan regulation and planning authority coordination. The authorities are now facing calls to review the approval process and ensure stricter adherence to planning norms amid ongoing challenges in controlling unauthorised development in the Odisha capital.Read more

25 Jan 2026

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a renewed effort to enhance sustainable urban mobility by reviving designated cycling tracks across the city and improving infrastructure for non-motorised transport. The initiative comes as part of a broader push to promote eco-friendly commuting, reduce traffic congestion and encourage healthier lifestyles among residents. The civic body, in collaboration with Smart City officials and partners, plans to repair and expand existing cycle paths, install proper signage and safety features, and develop a more cyclist-friendly environment. This move also includes plans to rejuvenate the city's bicycle-sharing services, which had lost momentum in recent years, and to survey requirements for additional footpaths and lane networks.Read more

24 Jan 2026

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to collect around INR 72 crore in holding tax from buildings on land owned by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) in the current fiscal year. The collection, beginning in early February, follows government approval last year to levy tax on these previously exempt properties. Educational institutions account for nearly INR 32 crore of the total dues. BMC calculates holding tax based on land value and building cost, while past compliance drives and resident welfare associations have supported the civic body's efforts to improve tax collections.Read more

19 Jan 2026

Bhubaneswar is set to modernize its traffic signal infrastructure as part of a major push to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion in the rapidly expanding city. The proposal, spearheaded by the municipal corporation in coordination with the traffic police, calls for the installation of adaptive traffic signal systems, upgraded controllers, and real-time monitoring capabilities at key intersections. The move aims to reduce travel times, improve road safety and better manage peak-hour traffic flows through intelligent signal timing adjustments based on live conditions. The project also includes enhanced pedestrian facilities, upgraded signage, and integration with the city's broader transport management systems. By adopting next-generation traffic signal technology, Bhubaneswar expects to support sustainable urban transport and create smoother, safer commutes for residents.Read more

11 Jan 2026

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack urban region has introduced strict construction time restrictions to tackle worsening air pollution, banning all construction activity from 6 PM to 10 AM. The decision aims to reduce dust generation and related particulate pollution during peak night and early-morning hours when air quality tends to deteriorate. Daytime work will be allowed during the prescribed hours with enforcement measures in place, and authorities have warned of penalties for violations. The ban applies to all building and infrastructure works, with exemptions only for essential emergency services. The move reflects growing concern over air quality in the twin cities and is part of a broader set of pollution control measures designed to protect public health and ensure cleaner urban living conditions.Read more

01 Jan 2026

The Odisha government has ordered an urgent road safety audit of the Janpath-Cuttack Road flyover in Bhubaneswar, following repeated accidents along this busy corridor. Transport officials will evaluate risks for pedestrians, including the visually impaired, and suggest both immediate and long-term safety improvements. Temporary measures like speed restriction signs, marked crossings, and improved night lighting are already being implemented. The audit will follow Indian Road Congress guidelines to examine footpaths, crossings, signage, and traffic calming measures, aligning with Odisha's wider push to enhance urban road safety and protect vulnerable commuters.Read more

14 Nov 2025

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advanced its proposal to expand the city's limits by incorporating 72 nearby revenue villages into its administrative boundary. The move follows the receipt of consent from these village communities and aims to improve civic governance, streamline urban services, and facilitate long-term development planning in the city's peripheral areas. The expansion will increase the BMC's existing zones from three to six and enable better delivery of essential services such as sanitation, water supply, and waste management.Read more

27 Oct 2025

The 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is set to be held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, bringing together around 3,500 delegates, including engineers, technical experts, and other stakeholders from across India. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, will inaugurate the four-day event, which Odisha is hosting for the sixth time. The conference will include technical exhibitions showcasing new developments in road infrastructure, innovative solutions, and cultural programmes, serving as a key platform for knowledge sharing and discussion on transport infrastructure.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Bhubaneswar has rolled out a detailed action plan to address the encroachment of around 498 acres of government land across the city. Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi revealed that Jaydev Vihar tops the list with 148 acres affected. The government has formed a Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC) and is filing cases under the Odisha Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act. Over 11,000 encroachment cases have been registered, impacting key areas including Chandrasekharpur, Jagamara, Dumduma, and BJB Nagar. Eviction drives are ongoing to restore land for public use.Read more

12 Sep 2025

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has partnered with a private sector bank to provide support to urban poor beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0. The collaboration aims to simplify banking processes and guide individuals in arranging their equity contribution. A pilot involving 600 beneficiaries has been rolled out, with each required to contribute an average of around USD 1,500 under the 40:40:20 cost-sharing model.Read more

04 Aug 2025

Bhubaneswar Development Authority conducted a transparent draw to allocate flats to urban poor under Affordable Housing Projects and in-situ slum redevelopment schemes. A total of 38 beneficiaries were assigned units across multiple sites, each required to contribute a specified beneficiary share. The Vice-Chairman reaffirmed the authority's focus on inclusive urban development and emphasised that infrastructure and basic services are integral to the housing effort. The initiative reflects a continuing commitment to relocate slum-dwellers into formal dwellings and enhance living conditions citywide.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has urged property owners to officially transfer internal roads built during plot development to the civic body. Many roads remain undocumented, stalling drainage and road works. Since taking over building approvals in 2020, officials found widespread non-compliance by developers. The mayor stressed that no further infrastructure work would proceed without these transfers. The Corporation also introduced mandatory ID cards for all staff after a security incident and invited ideas to boost revenue collection. Emphasising interdepartmental coordination, officials aim to clear administrative hurdles, speed up infrastructure rollout, and enhance transparency in service delivery across newly developed and existing city areas.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Odisha government is undertaking a comprehensive reform to simplify its outdated and overly complex land classification and ownership systems. With more than 7,000 land-use types and nearly 3,000 forms of land ownership rooted in colonial-era laws, the administration is now streamlining these into 27 use categories and a simplified set of ownership types. This initiative aims to bring transparency, legal clarity, and administrative efficiency. Additional reforms, including updated property conversion fees, new urban planning regulations, and legal safeguards for SC/ST land rights, complement this overhaul. The state is also repealing obsolete statutes and responding to recent judicial guidance on land titles.Read more

24 Nov 2023

Slum dwellers in Bhubaneswar are hesitant to move into the affordable housing projects, newly constructed for them in Chandrasekharpur and Saheed Nagar. BDA officials express the aim to provide quality housing for those affected by slum redevelopment. The apartments, with a built-up area of 300 to 320 square feet, are deemed too small for even a small family to live comfortably. Residents cite inadequate parking space, security, and the absence of service elevators as concerns. With the project ready for inauguration, and the allotment process set to commence in phases post-inauguration, it remains to be seen how things would proceed.Read more

22 Nov 2023

The Odisha cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has given the green light to the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project (BMRC) Phase I. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will spearhead the Rs 5,929.38 crore turn-key project, spanning 26 km with 20 stations from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Trisulia Square near Cuttack. The infrastructure, part of the Greater Capital Region metropolitan city plan, aims to serve around 50 lakh people. The first phase, focusing on Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Cuttack, and Puri regions, is slated for completion in four years, featuring elevated viaducts, modern coaches, and advanced systems.Read more

14 Oct 2023

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) plans to conduct a pioneering real estate survey to assess various aspects of properties and enhance urban planning. The survey will evaluate components like sewerage, drainage, waste management, parking, and security. A consultant will be selected to conduct the survey, focusing on 1,800 properties, aiming to understand existing infrastructure conditions. BDA officials anticipate the survey's findings will aid inclusive city development and guide improvements for addressing the challenges posed by rapid growth. Urban planners recognize the significance of rectifying planning violations for the systematic growth of the city.Read more

06 Oct 2023

The latest deadline for the Dhauli Heights housing project in Bhubaneswar, India, was extended to March 2024 due to several delays. Homebuyers are unhappy by these continued delays because they had originally anticipated having their flats by 2016. The project's partners, Odisha Cooperative Housing Corporation Limited (OCHC) and Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Limited (OPHWC), have an unpaid balance of Rs 3.12 crore, which is the cause of the delays. To settle this amount, OCHC has asked for an additional six months. The Indian real estate sector needs better project management and accountability as a result of these ongoing delays.Read more

06 Oct 2023

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has temporarily suspended a slum redevelopment housing project in Mahisakhal, Badagada. Initiated in 2013 under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), the project aimed to construct a G+4-storied building with 19 blocks, providing nearly 700 dwelling units for slum dwellers. While approximately 15 blocks were completed initially, the remaining four faced delays due to land acquisition and funding issues. Eligible slum dwellers were allotted homes in the completed blocks, leaving some without housing. The BDA estimates it needs Rs 20.75 crore to complete the remaining blocks, raising concerns about the fate of those still awaiting housing.Read more