Odisha govt plans roads, new cities for ambitious Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region

In a bold step to reshape the urban and economic landscape of coastal Odisha, the state government has unveiled plans to form an integrated development blueprint for the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER).

According to The Times of India, this ambitious corridor aims to turn the capital region into a USD 500 billion economic powerhouse by 2047, positioning it as a national and global growth hub.

The multi-city transformation strategy envisions Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Paradip not merely as connected urban nodes but as parts of a unified regional economy driven by smart infrastructure, global investment, and strategic planning.

Reports added that the initiative will be steered by a Regional Economic Development Board led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and supported by expert advisors, planners, and top bureaucrats.

New Cities, Health Hubs, and Industrial Townships

The cornerstone of the BCPPER plan is the creation of multiple new urban zones and industrial clusters.

Among the most high-profile projects is a new city near Chandaka, along with ‘New Cuttack’, a 426-acre smart city along the Mahanadi riverfront, which will integrate research centres, recreational zones, and tourism infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Puri will host a 2,500-acre Aerotropolis, setting the stage for aviation-linked growth, and Cuttack is slated to get a 200-acre medi-city with 5,000 hospital beds to attract medical tourists.

A 5,000-acre industrial area between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has also been proposed to boost non-farm employment and draw in private investment. In fact, the government plans to establish a dedicated task force to mobilise capital for these mega-projects.

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Expanding Bhubaneswar: Addressing Congestion and Housing Crises

The move comes after the government hinted at plans for a Greater Bhubaneswar, as the existing capital city and cities adjoining it are currently grappling with housing shortages and surging property prices, and are set to undergo territorial expansion and planning reforms.

The state's vision also includes a 65 km inner ring road within Bhubaneswar, a 148 km outer ring road, and a 432 km regional ring road.

Notably, similar urban-industrial agglomerations are being planned for western Odisha through the Bargarh-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur corridor, with Berhampur-Gopalpur and Koraput-Jeypore regions identified for long-term expansion after 2029.