Latest StoriesRegulatory

Odisha HC Orders Shantipalli Basti Residents to Vacate for Project

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa High Court has ordered the residents of Shantipalli Basti in Bhubaneswar to vacate their homes and relocate to designated temporary accommodations. This move is aimed at facilitating the completion of the Shantipalli Awas Yojana, a significant in-situ slum redevelopment initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi delivered this ruling in response to several petitions from beneficiaries of the project. He upheld the legal transfer of land to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and validated the State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee’s decision to set the beneficiary contribution at Rs 1.5 lakh per…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Odisha HC Permits Vigilance Court Trial in BDA Scam Case

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has upheld a vigilance court’s ruling that denied the discharge of former officials involved in the 2014 Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) plot allotment scandal, affirming that sufficient evidence exists for the trial to move forward. Justice Chittaranjan Dash rejected criminal revision petitions put forth by Bibhuti Bhusan Ray and Prakash Chandra Patra, along with two co-defendants, contesting the November 23, 2024 order from the additional special judge (vigilance) in Bhubaneswar. The petitions sought to dismiss charges related to the alleged irregular allotment of 10 commercial plots in Chandrasekharpur. In his judgment on November 12, Justice…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Bhubaneswar Upholds Demolition of Unauthorised 5-Storey Building

BHUBANESWAR: The housing and urban development department has rejected an appeal from a promoter and a group of homebuyers, affirming the Bhubaneswar Development Authority’s (BDA) decision to demolish an unauthorized five-storey residential building in Andilo, Balianta. The case highlighted a deliberate attempt by the promoter and buyers to circumvent regulatory requirements. It is alleged that the promoter constructed the building without BDA approval, using an outdated building plan from the Balianta gram panchayat, which was valid before the area came under BDA jurisdiction in 2011. Despite not securing the necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs), the promoter allegedly proceeded with construction and…

Latest StoriesResidential

Bhubaneswar: BDA Orders Defaulting Homeowners to Pay Fees

BHUBANESWAR: To protect the interests of allottees of a major housing project in the city, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has reaffirmed its earlier decision, requiring occupants with outstanding monthly maintenance fees to settle dues exceeding Rs 2 lakh within a month. Some occupants have refused to pay these fees, arguing that the project is still under the builder’s control and has not been fully handed over to the association, claiming that there is no registered association of allottees per legal requirements. Nevertheless, the project located in Sijua, Patrapada, was among the first to receive its occupancy certificate and established…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Odisha Approves Town Planning Scheme-8

BHUBANESWAR: The state government has made a notable advancement in urban planning by approving the draft of Town Planning Scheme-8. This approval was publicized in the Odisha Gazette on Friday. Covering an area of 560.86 acres in the Andharua and Daspur mouzas, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) will execute the TP scheme. This initiative is a vital portion of the state’s urban growth strategy and includes the development of Bhubaneswar New City. Originally declared on January 30, 2014, the intent for TP-8 was followed by a meeting with landowners on January 21 this year, and the draft plan was released…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

SC calls Bhubaneswar development body on certificate issuance

BHUBANESWAR: The Supreme Court has summoned the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to explain the controversial occupancy certificate (OC) issued for Odisha’s first public-private partnership (PPP) real estate project. The project, initiated by the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB), is currently facing legal and regulatory issues that raise serious questions about compliance and governance in the state’s real estate landscape. As per the case details, the project has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle due to alleged fraudulent activities and regulatory failures. A timeline of events shows numerous missteps and disputes. In 2018, the builder started handing over possession without…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Bhubaneswar: Action Plan for 498 Acres of Encroached Land

BHUBANESWAR: A total of 498 acres of government land in the capital city has been encroached, with Jaydev Vihar alone accounting for 148 acres, as revealed in Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s written response in the assembly on Monday. According to the reply, “A Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC) has been established to tackle encroachment issues.” This information came in response to Jatni MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray’s query regarding land encroachment in Bhubaneswar and the measures being taken for their removal. “The government is filing cases under the Odisha Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act to address encroachments,” the…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Cabinet Approves New City Project in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has granted in-principle approval for the highly anticipated ‘New City’ project on Bhubaneswar’s outskirts. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja shared that the proposed city will be developed within the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA) and will encompass approximately 800 acres across Gothapatna, Malipada, and Daspur. This initiative is part of the state’s long-term vision, Viksit Odisha 2036, aimed at creating a multi-economic growth zone. The anticipated investment is projected to be Rs 8,179 crore over the next 15 years, combining both public and private sectors. An initial budget of…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Bhubaneswar to Request Plot Owners for Road Development Access

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Pushes for Road Handover from Developers Image: Caption: Representative image created by AI Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) called upon developers and landowners to transfer roads that were designated at the time of their property purchases to the civic body. During a BMC meeting, corporators raised concerns about numerous roads not being handed over, which is hindering planned development and the construction of essential infrastructure like roads and drains. Officials explained that historically, large plots were subdivided for sale, and while roads were designated, they often were not formally transferred to the BMC upon…

Latest StoriesResidential

Bhubaneswar to Offer Affordable Housing to Slum-Dwellers via Lottery

BHUBANESWAR: On Wednesday, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) conducted a lottery to distribute homes to 38 beneficiaries through its Affordable Housing Projects (AHP) and In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) initiatives. The purpose of these schemes is to offer secure and dignified housing for the urban poor living in slums and informal settlements. The allocation involved 24 beneficiaries receiving homes at Barunei Enclave AHP in Subudhipur, nine at Santi Nagar Awas Yojana (Keshari Residency), and five at the Nilamadhab Awas scheme in Chandrasekharpur. BDA Vice-Chairman N Thirumala Naik, present at the event, highlighted the authority’s commitment to inclusive urban development. “Our goal…