Tag: Bhubaneswar

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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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Odisha Housing Minister Discloses ORERA Case Backlog

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has registered a total of 4,334 cases against 714 builders since its establishment in 2017. Out of these, 1,028 cases are still pending resolution, as reported by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in the state assembly. The minister addressed a question from MLA Mangu Khilla regarding ORERA’s operational effectiveness. Khilla also inquired about the government’s actions to enhance ORERA’s functions. Mahapatra stated that the government has increased staffing and oversight, but various external factors continue to obstruct timely justice for homebuyers. He indicated that procedural and legal hurdles, rather…

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Odisha Officials Visit Chennai for Affordable Housing Insights

BHUBANESWAR: A delegation from the Odisha government recently visited Chennai to explore affordable housing and urban habitat programs backed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to an official statement released on Friday. Led by Usha Padhee, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, the team aimed to understand successful models of affordable housing delivery, institutional strengthening, innovative financing frameworks, and sustainable urban habitat development in Tamil Nadu. During their visit, Padhee, along with officials from the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM), engaged in detailed discussions with senior representatives from the Tamil…

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Bhubaneswar Residents Accuse Developer of Road Encroachment

Representative image BHUBANESWAR: Residents of a prominent housing project in GGP Colony have accused the developer of encroaching on their common road to facilitate a neighboring construction project. The residents report that heavy vehicles and construction machinery have been using the road designated solely for their housing complex, creating inconvenience and safety hazards for over 50 families. They claim this is happening despite the second project not having secured the necessary approvals from local authorities. As part of the ongoing dispute, residents further allege that the developer has occupied common areas within their existing complex, including parts of the ground…