Tag: Bhubaneswar

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Kantabada Panchayat Opposes BDA Housing Project in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: In a landmark move, the Kantabada panchayat has turned to the Odisha Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (OREAT) to contest the Bhubaneswar Development Authority’s (BDA) approval of a private housing project, claiming it encroaches on the panchayat’s jurisdiction without proper authority. The tribunal supported the panchayat’s appeal, reversing an earlier decision by the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) that had dismissed the grievance on the grounds of maintainability. OREAT determined that the definition of “aggrieved person” under RERA should not be limited solely to allottees, promoters, or real estate agents. The conflict revolves around a three-storey residential development comprising…

Latest StoriesResidential

Bhubaneswar to Survey Homes Misused as Commercial Spaces

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct an extensive survey to identify residential buildings misused for commercial activities, following a recent Supreme Court directive scrutinizing municipal bodies across the nation. This initiative follows the Supreme Court’s hearings related to an unauthorized commercial establishment in Chennai, which mandated all municipal corporations to inspect residential areas that have been illegally converted into non-residential spaces. The court has included all relevant civic bodies in the case, increasing accountability for urban local authorities throughout the country. City Mayor Sulochana Das announced that preparations will begin upon receiving the official directive, with teams formed…

Latest StoriesResidential

Odisha Registers 7,037 Flats in Three Years: Revenue Minister

Representative image BHUBANESWAR: The revenue and disaster management department has recorded 7,037 flat registrations across Odisha over the past three years. This initiative has enhanced legal ownership for buyers and improved the government’s land records system, according to a recent assembly statement. During the 2024 financial year, a peak of 4,712 flats were registered. However, this number fell sharply to only 593 in 2025, as noted by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari in his written response to the assembly. Data indicates that 1,732 flats were registered in 2023, followed by a significant increase in 2024, largely due to greater compliance and…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Bhubaneswar Signs Pact with Singapore Firm for City Master Plan

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has signed a partnership with the Singapore-based consultancy firm Surbana Jurong to develop a comprehensive master plan for the proposed Bhubaneswar New City. This initiative is a part of a major urban expansion project aimed at shaping the future growth of the capital. Covering nearly 800 acres across the mouzas of Gothapatna, Malipada, and Dasapur, the project aims to establish a multi-economic growth zone, aligned with the state’s long-term vision of Vikshit Odisha 2036. Officials indicated that the new city will be designed as a transit-oriented urban hub, prioritizing efficient public transport, reduced travel…

Latest StoriesResidential

Affordable Flats for Urban Poor at 5 Locations: Odisha Minister

BHUBANESWAR: The state government is advancing five major affordable housing projects in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, as stated by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in a written reply during the ongoing assembly session. The projects are being executed under Model IV of the Housing for All (Urban) policy, which allows private developers to construct housing units on 65% of the project land, while utilizing the remaining 35% for their commercial or residential use. According to the minister’s reply, the houses are being built in accordance with the Odisha Housing for All…

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Bhubaneswar: BMC Halts Builder’s Work After Resident Complaints

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered a halt to construction activities at a housing project in Nandan Vihar due to multiple complaints from the residents’ welfare association. The residents raised concerns regarding unauthorized expansions, violations of ORERA regulations, and the developer’s neglect of critical infrastructure commitments. BMC officials confirmed that the stop-work order was issued on Friday after a preliminary investigation revealed ongoing construction for the expansion block despite identified violations. A senior official from the BMC stated that inspectors have been tasked with monitoring the site to ensure compliance with the order. “In light of the grievances…

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Odisha Developers Call for Land Conversion Reform

BHUBANESWAR: Leading real estate developers in Odisha are calling on the state government to reform its land conversion framework, asserting that the current, outdated system causes project delays, increases costs, and hinders urban development, especially as other states modernize their processes. This appeal comes in light of recent policy changes in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the need for separate non-agricultural (NA) conversion approvals has been eliminated. In Karnataka, for example, land conversion is now automatically approved during the building plan sanctioning phase, while Maharashtra has completely removed NA permission requirements. “In Odisha, the scenario is markedly different,” the developers stated,…

Latest StoriesRera

Odisha REAT Upholds Penalty on Promoter for Uncertified Flats

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (OREAT) has dismissed an appeal from a local promoter and upheld the Rs 3 lakh penalty for delivering flats in the Gadakana housing project without the necessary occupancy certificate (OC) and failing to secure registration from the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA). This ruling was issued on March 6. The tribunal affirmed ORERA’s March 4, 2024, directive, which penalized the promoter for breaching Section 3(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which stipulates that all eligible projects must be registered before any sales or promotions occur. The tribunal also…

Latest StoriesRera

OREAT Rejects Promoter’s Appeal on Ghatikia RERA Conditions

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (OREAT) has rejected an appeal from a developer contesting the conditions set by the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) regarding the registration of phase III of a real estate project in Ghatikia. When issuing the registration certificate for the third phase, ORERA imposed two key conditions: the developer must not execute any sale agreements without re-validated building plan approval or an occupancy certificate, and they must refrain from any sale agreements until the Orissa High Court’s mandate for correcting land records is fully adhered to. The disagreement stems from discrepancies in revenue…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

120 Unsafe Buildings Found in 18 Odisha Districts: Survey

BHUBANESWAR: Recent government assessments presented by Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan in the ongoing Budget session have identified 120 unsafe buildings across 18 districts. According to the Minister, Cuttack has the highest number of unsafe buildings at 22, followed by Bargarh with 11. Various structures, including school buildings, hospitals, staff quarters, and government offices, have been marked as unsafe, prompting local authorities to take necessary action. The Minister urged local bodies in districts like Khurda, Ganjam, Rayagada, Nuapada, and Bargarh to intensify field surveys of aging government quarters, school buildings, and private commercial units to propose demolitions or reconstructions of identified…