CM-led board to prepare roadmap for development of capital economic region
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to establish a Regional Economic Development Board, chaired by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, with a professional chief executive officer within two years in a bid to develop a strategic roadmap for the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER).
According to the Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20, the board will include international and national experts to create a comprehensive economic plan through a growth-hub programme for the region. "It will outline a five-year actionable roadmap with clear milestones and accountabilities," the document stated.
The govt envisions BCPPER to become a US$ 500 billion hub by 2047, a significant increase from the current economy size of US$ 22 billion, which the govt targets to go up to US$ 35-45 billion by the end of its current term in 2029.
Planned projects include a new city near Chandaka, inspired by GIFT City Gujarat, a 200-acre medi-city with 5,000 hospital beds in Cuttack, a 2,500-acre Aerotropolis in Puri, a 5,000-acre new industrial area between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and a New Cuttack city over 426 acres along the Mahanadi river. An investment task force will be formed to mobilise private investments.
Inspired by the role played by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the board will be responsible for strategic thinking and overall economic region planning.
To ensure alignment with state priorities, it will include state-level representation, with effective stakeholder coordination and robust data management as cornerstones for cohesive regional progress.
"The board, empowered through statutory acts and rules, will be crucial for the integrated development of the region, driving multi-modal connectivity and the growth of suburban and satellite cities — objectives difficult to achieve with multiple local bodies," the Vision document stated.
Explaining the govt vision, industries secretary Hemant Sharma said since the capital region is growing as a densely populated area, its key driver of future growth will remain urbanisation. Maximum plans in this region would be related to the urban service sector besides industries, which will thrive on skilled manpower. "Untapped medical tourism, electronics and IT sector besides tourism would be the key drivers.
Education and knowledge hubs would be main thrust areas," Sharma said.
The medi-city aims to attract medical tourists, and the region will be declared a 'Special Healthcare Zone' with regulatory easing and fast-track approvals. 'New Cuttack' will be developed over reclaimed waterfront land along the Mahanadi river as a world-class ecological park and tourism destination with integrated research, sports, and rejuvenation centres, according to the Vision document.
While the housing and urban development secretary will be in a lead role in the board, it will comprise more than 10 members, including secretaries from various departments such as planning and convergence, industries, electronics and information technology, tourism, forest, commerce and transport, skill development, higher education, finance, PWD, water resources and rural development.
BCPPER is set to feature a 432 km capital region ring road, overlapping with the proposed coastal highway, a 148 km outer ring road centring Bhubaneswar, and a 65 km inner ring road within the state capital.
The govt aims to increase non-farm jobs within BCPPER from the current 43 lakh to 60 lakh by 2029, and 70 lakh by 2036.
In addition to the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip region, the govt plans to develop Bargarh-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur as a 'model agglomeration,' a similar economic corridor, within its current term. Post-2029, the govt aspires to replicate plans for Berhampur-Chhattrapur-Gopalpur and Jeypore-Koraput-Sunabeda regions.
These initiatives are part of the govt's broader vision to achieve 60% urbanisation by 2047 and 40% by 2036 across the state, up from less than 20% at present.
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