Tag: Bhubaneswar

Latest StoriesResidential

Odisha Flat Owners Face ₹50,000 Stamp Fee for Common Areas

BHUBANESWAR: In an effort to simplify apartment registrations, the state government announced amendments to the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, via an ordinance on Thursday. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial pressures on apartment owners’ associations and eliminate procedural obstacles. The announcement, published in the Odisha Gazette, follows the state cabinet’s green light earlier this January. The amendments are expected to streamline the registration process under the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, while protecting government revenue. With this ordinance, the framework for implementing the amended stamp duty is now in place. Under the 2023 Act, developers are obliged…

Latest StoriesRera

Experts and Homebuyers Embrace RERA Act Jail Term Change

BHUBANESWAR: Real estate professionals and homebuyers in Odisha have expressed approval of the Central government’s decision to replace imprisonment for non-compliance with tribunal orders under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) with monetary fines. Legal and real estate specialists have described this change as part of a larger initiative to decriminalize business regulations and alleviate the pressures on courts. “This amendment aligns RERA with the government’s broader goal of easing the legal landscape for minor offenses, facilitating a better living and business environment,” stated real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan. On May 7, the Ministry of Housing and…

Latest StoriesResidential

Odisha Tops India in PMAY-U 2.0 Housing Completions

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha has secured the top position in the nation for successful housing completions under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U 2.0), maintaining its rank since March 2025, according to officials. Since its launch in September 2024, PMAY-U 2.0 has seen Odisha consistently making strides in offering affordable housing solutions to urban beneficiaries. Between March 2025 and March 2026, the state achieved the highest number of completed houses compared to other states. Official statistics indicate that 24,625 houses have been approved under PMAY-U 2.0 in Odisha to date, with 23,464 sites geo-tagged. Construction has commenced for 3,134 houses, and 2,008…

IndustryLatest Stories

Bhubaneswar Body Issues SOP for Land Reconstitution

Representative AI image BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has unveiled a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the reconstitution of land parcels under town planning schemes 42 to 45 in Zone IV. BDA officials explained that this initiative aims to create a transparent framework for the fair distribution of reconstituted plots, prioritizing maximum benefits for landowners. “A key element of the draft SOP is the provision for voluntary amalgamation of plots within the same mouza (a designated area under a tehsil). Landowners who combine their holdings will receive 60% of the total land area after a standard 40% deduction.…

Latest StoriesRera

Odisha RERA Permits Hard Copy Submissions for Offline Projects

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has revised the quarterly progress report (QPR) formats for builders, now allowing hard-copy submissions for offline-registered projects, moving away from the previous online-only system. These new formats, recently announced, will take effect starting from the quarter ending June 2026. Officials believe this change will enhance transparency, accuracy, and compliance tracking as per the Odisha Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 (RERA). Under the new guidelines, projects registered offline, though limited in number, will submit QPRs in physical format, while the majority of online-registered projects will continue to file reports digitally via…

IndustryLatest Stories

Almost half of Bhubaneswar’s building violation cases pending

BHUBANESWAR: Approximately 50% of the 9,500 building plan violation cases under the Odisha Development Authority Act of 1982 are still unresolved across the city’s three zones. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials indicated that these violations primarily involve construction without obtaining the necessary plan approval, not adhering to sanctioned building plans, encroachments, unauthorized extensions, and other structural deviations. Authorities noted that ODA cases are initiated either based on public complaints, during enforcement drives, or through random inspections conducted by the corporation. To expedite case resolutions, the pending cases are now allocated to the three zonal offices according to the location of…

Latest StoriesRera

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…