Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation in Odisha

Ending a long wait, the Odisha government on Wednesday officially upgraded Puri from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation. The decision marks a major administrative milestone for the historic coastal city, which is one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations and a key urban centre in the state.

Official Notification and Statewide Context

According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Housing and Urban Development Department issued a formal notification approving the upgrade of Puri municipality into a municipal corporation. With this move, Puri has become the sixth city in Odisha to attain municipal corporation status, after Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had announced the government’s intent to upgrade Puri in July.

Expected Benefits for Urban Governance

The new status is expected to significantly improve civic administration, infrastructure development and delivery of urban services. Municipal corporation status allows greater financial and administrative autonomy, enabling better planning and execution of projects related to sanitation, water supply, roads and solid waste management. The upgrade is also expected to benefit residents, pilgrims and tourists alike.

Access to Central Schemes and Funding

As a municipal corporation, Puri will be better positioned to access central government assistance under schemes meant for major urban centres and pilgrimage cities. This is expected to support large-scale infrastructure upgrades, heritage conservation and improved public amenities, particularly in view of the city’s heavy seasonal footfall.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Puri is the sixth municipal corporation in Odisha.
• Municipal corporation status enhances financial and administrative powers.
• Puri is a major pilgrimage and tourism centre.
• Urban local bodies are governed under the 74th Constitutional Amendment.

New NACs and Expansion of Urban Limits

As a New Year initiative, the Odisha government also declared four towns as Notified Area Councils. These include Loisingha in Bolangir district, Chandikhol in Jajpur district, Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district and Basta in Balasore district. In addition, the state has notified the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation, signalling a broader push towards urban reorganisation and improved local governance.