Odisha mulls mega-metro comprising Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and four other regions

In a move aimed at reshaping Odisha’s urban landscape, the state government is planning the development of a mega metropolitan region that will integrate six key areas, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khordha, Jatani, Paradip, and Puri, into a unified urban entity spread over 7,000 square kilometres.

According to reports by The Times of India, the plan is comparable in size to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region and was unveiled by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the 10th governing council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday.

This ambitious project forms the crux of Odisha's long-term strategy to increase its urbanisation rate from the current 17% to 40% by 2036 and a staggering 60% by 2047.

Further, the mega-metro proposal not only reflects Odisha’s urban aspirations but also aligns with the state’s broader economic roadmap targeting a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047.

Bhubaneswar’s Expansion a Key Driver

A central element of this transformation is the planned expansion of Bhubaneswar city. Earlier this year, Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra had announced that Bhubaneswar would be reimagined as a modern urban centre with widened jurisdiction.

The city is currently battling growing urban congestion, skyrocketing housing prices, and outdated infrastructure. To resolve these issues, the government plans to bring more areas under the Town Planning Scheme (TP Scheme) and extend administrative boundaries.

The proposed metropolitan region will serve not only as a physical expansion but also as a model for urban efficiency. Integration of administrative units and local corporations will ensure that the capital can effectively accommodate population growth, streamline urban planning, and support infrastructure upgrades.

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Tri-City Vision to Become a Reality

The long-speculated Tri-City project that connects Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri is expected to form the nucleus of this mega-metro.

While plans for the Tri-City concept have been discussed in the past, the current government under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has now placed it squarely on the development agenda.

The inclusion of Khordha, Jatani, and Paradip further expands the scope of the initiative, indicating the government’s intent to create a dynamic, interconnected economic and cultural corridor.