News Brief
Arjun Brij
Aug 07, 2025, 04:05 PM | Updated 04:05 PM IST
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Odisha government is set to establish the Odisha Urban Development Task Force (OUDTF) to oversee and implement the proposed Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip (BCPPR) corridor initiative also dubbed as Greater Bhubaneswar.
The initiative, covering approximately 8,500 sq km, aims to convert the four-city cluster into a globally competitive economic and urban hub, The New Indian Express reported.
The plan includes shared transportation networks, a satellite township outside Bhubaneswar, and metro connectivity, all geared toward integrated and sustainable urban growth.
The OUDTF will function as a high-powered advisory and implementation body comprising senior officials, global and strategic development partners, private sector investors, civil society organisations, and community groups.
It will be backed by a dedicated Strategic Execution and Support Unit (SESU) to drive on-ground implementation.
Officials from the Housing and Urban Development Department said the task force will operate across three core areas: urban transformation and economic growth; inclusive and equitable urban development; and social impact and community well-being.
“The major task of OUDTF will be to create a globally-competitive economic corridor to foster employment, entrepreneurship and investment,” a senior official was quoted as saying.
The initiative also aims to deliver essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and energy, while targeting skill development and job creation, especially among women and youth.
A targeted $100 billion GDP output from the BCPPR corridor has been set as a milestone on the road to the 2047 economic goal.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the plan in the 2025–26 Budget, calling the Greater Bhubaneswar region central to Odisha’s development blueprint for the future.
Arjun Brij is an Editorial Associate at Swarajya. He tweets at @arjun_brij