BHUBANESWAR: In an effort to enhance civic amenities and empower urban local bodies (ULBs), Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Sunday the establishment of seven new municipalities and 16 notified area councils (NACs) across various districts. This initiative allows these areas to manage their own budgets.
During the state’s Local Self Governance (LSG) Day celebration, Majhi emphasized the importance of making urban areas free of potholes and closing open drains by April 2026. He stated that urban regions represent development, and achieving clean, pothole-free roads and infrastructure is crucial for meeting this goal.
The new NACs include Loisinga in Balangir district; Sohela in Bargarh; Badamba, Narasinghpur, and Salepur in Cuttack district; Gondia in Dhenkanal; Patrapur and Jagannath Prasad in Ganjam; Chandikhole in Jajpur; Narla and Jaypatna in Kalahandi; Tangi in Khurda; Boriguma in Koraput; and Kaptipada, Jashipur, and Rasgovindpur in Mayurbhanj.
The municipalities that have been upgraded from NACs include Karanjia, Boudh, Bhanjanagar, Aska, Chhatrapur, Kabisuryanagar, and Polasara. The Puri civic body has also transitioned from a municipality to a municipal corporation.
“By the end of April 2026, we aim to declare all urban areas pothole-free,” Majhi asserted during his address.
He further mentioned that if local officials and representatives execute their duties diligently, there would be no need for intervention from higher officials. He urged local leaders to be proactive in addressing community concerns.
The government has introduced various long-term strategies to enhance urban infrastructure and provide quality services to residents, aiming for a prosperous Odisha. The CM launched several urban development projects, extending the ‘Sahajog’ program to ensure that government benefits reach all urban citizens. This program, initiated in May with the support of Tata Steel Foundation, focuses on aiding urban residents. Additionally, a toll-free number, 1929, called ‘Sahar Saathi’, has been introduced for the public to register grievances.
A WhatsApp ticketing service for booking ‘Aama Bus’ was also launched, offering a 15% discount for women and 10% for other passengers to encourage safe and dignified travel for women. Moreover, the CM inaugurated 43 multi-purpose buildings, with an investment exceeding Rs 109 crore.
The Chief Minister distributed affordable housing and PMAY homes to beneficiaries, including 310 homes from BMC and 38 under BDA’s jurisdiction for economically weaker sections. Under PMAY 2.0, a total of 46 homes were allocated, benefiting 394 families.
