Tag: Cuttack

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…

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…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Construction Halted in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack from 6 PM to 10 AM

BHUBANESWAR: To combat air pollution, Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia announced on Tuesday that all construction activities in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be prohibited from 6 pm to 10 am. The district collectors of Khurda and Cuttack have been tasked with enforcing this directive. “All forms of construction work, whether private or government, are suspended in the twin cities during this timeframe. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state Works Department have been notified,” he added. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have taken measures to alleviate air pollution in the capital. BMC…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Cuttack to Demolish All Unsafe Buildings, Says Odisha Minister

Representative AI image BHUBANESWAR: On Tuesday, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra informed the assembly that all unsafe buildings identified in Cuttack will be demolished to mitigate potential hazards and ensure public safety. In response to a written query during the winter session, Mahapatra stated, “A special committee has been formed to evaluate the structural integrity of buildings across all 59 wards under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).” The committee is conducting surveys to assess the structural safety of buildings in the ancient urban landscape, which features numerous aging and potentially unsafe structures. “The survey will yield a…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Cuttack housing project faces ₹10 crore unpaid GST liability

BHUBANESWAR: The commissionerate of commercial tax (CT) and GST in Cuttack has identified an outstanding GST liability of approximately Rs 10 crore related to a significant housing project undertaken by a promoter in collaboration with the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA). This amount pertains to unpaid taxes on the transfer of development rights (TDR) for a land parcel designated for private development. Investigators noted that while other dues have been cleared, this liability remains unsettled. As detailed in the tax evasion report, the project operates under a joint development agreement, where the developer has built affordable housing consisting of 550 units…

Latest StoriesRera

Odisha REAT Fines Developer for Unfair Trade Practices

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (OREAT) recently issued a groundbreaking ruling, referencing Shakespeare’s notorious moneylender Shylock from *The Merchant of Venice*, and imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on a real estate developer. The tribunal was reviewing an appeal from the promoter of a large real estate project situated in Cuttack alongside NH-16. The tribunal criticized the developer’s actions as “dubious,” accusing them of “unfair trade practices” against the buyer. The appeal was made by the project promoter contesting an earlier ruling by the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA). The complainant had paid over ₹3.19 crore for…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Orissa HC Rescinds Inquiry, Restores PMAY-G Benefits

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has overturned a government inquiry report that deemed several beneficiaries ineligible for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G). The court ruled the inquiry did not adhere to established guidelines and was therefore invalid. Ten residents from Gopinathpur panchayat in Bhadrak district challenged the government’s decision to deny them PMAY-G benefits. An initial block-level inquiry identified 258 eligible beneficiaries, including the petitioners, with the gram sabha approving their names on January 30, 2023. Consequently, work orders were issued on June 19, 2023, and some beneficiaries received the first installment of ₹40,000. However, Malatilata Sahoo, a village…

Latest StoriesResidential

Odisha Launches ₹500–1,500 Monthly Rental Homes for All

Representative AI image BHUBANESWAR: Tenants, especially students and the urban poor, can breathe a sigh of relief as the housing and urban development department launches an innovative rental housing project across multiple urban centers in the state. The project aims to provide quality accommodation for targeted beneficiaries, with affordable rent ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per month. Several rental housing complexes are currently being constructed in Odisha, with one already operational in Bhubaneswar. According to official data, Bhubaneswar hosts three such projects: a 200-bed facility in Kharvel Nagar and two 100-bed facilities in Shampur and Chandrasekharpur. Additionally, the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Odisha HC Cancels Land Deals in Baniapat Khuntapada, Keonjhar

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has annulled several land transactions pertaining to 4.40 acres of shared ancestral property in Baniapat Khuntapada and Keonjhar. The court noted that these transactions were marred by the intentional exclusion of heirs and procedural irregularities. As a result, the court has instructed the Keonjhar district collector to investigate the irregularities and take disciplinary measures against responsible officials. Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been ordered to halt any compensation payments for the land designated for a highway project and to recover any funds already disbursed. In a ruling dated July 18, Justice…

Latest StoriesRera

Odisha RERA Establishes CDR Cell for Dispute Resolution

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has announced the establishment of a Conciliation and Dispute Resolution (CDR) cell at its office. This CDR cell aims to serve as a platform for distressed homebuyers and promoters to resolve disputes amicably, minimizing the need for prolonged legal battles. ORERA attempted a similar initiative in January of last year, but it was not operational due to a lack of government approval. This time, following approval from the housing and urban development department, the CDR cell has been officially notified. “In line with Section 32 (g) of the Real Estate (Regulation and…