To shape the future of Bhubaneswar’s urban landscape, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has officially launched Town Planning (TP) Schemes Nos. 5, 6, and 7 in the Dasapur and Malipada areas.
Spanning 846 acres within Zone I, these schemes are a cornerstone of the broader Bhubaneswar New City vision, envisaged to develop 400 hectares into a modern, sustainable urban hub. This ambitious urban planning initiative is aligned with the city’s commitment to fostering eco-friendly, equitable, and gender-neutral spaces while accommodating the rising demand for well-structured housing and infrastructure. The BDA has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage a specialised firm with proven expertise in TP scheme design and execution. The selected firm will be pivotal in translating strategic urban planning principles into actionable designs and guiding the project through to completion.
Ensuring transparency and community participation, public consultations have been held with local landowners in Dasapur and Malipada. These sessions aimed to address concerns, secure stakeholder buy-in, and foster collective ownership of the development process. The land pooling model underpinning the TP schemes requires landowners to contribute 40% of their land towards public infrastructure, while retaining 60% as developed plots within the scheme. This approach balances private property rights with the community’s infrastructural needs, facilitating seamless urban expansion without forced acquisition. Under these schemes, the newly developed areas will feature meticulously planned 9-metre-wide roads, integrated drainage systems, reliable water supply networks, sewerage lines, and electricity connections. Such infrastructural investments are expected to significantly improve the quality of life, reduce congestion, and enhance public health through better sanitation and water management. This latest phase of TP scheme rollouts builds on BDA’s December 2023 launch of 14 schemes across Zone IV, covering 2,496 acres in Dhauli and Tamando.
The city has been strategically divided into four planning zones, allowing systematic development across 58 revenue villages through a total of 45 TP schemes. This zoning facilitates coordinated infrastructure projects, including the high-profile inner ring road designed to ease traffic flow and connect emerging neighbourhoods efficiently. The success of Bhubaneswar’s TP framework is already attracting wider recognition. The Odisha state government has announced plans to replicate the model in other urban centres such as Sambalpur and Berhampur. This has led to a surge of interest from policymakers, urban planners, and researchers who have visited Bhubaneswar’s project sites to gain insights into best practices and innovative land pooling methodologies.
Bhubaneswar’s TP schemes demonstrate a forward-looking approach to urban governance integrating sustainability goals with pragmatic land-use planning. By embedding green infrastructure principles and ensuring equitable land sharing, the city aims to emerge as a regional exemplar of zero net carbon growth and inclusive urbanisation. As Bhubaneswar evolves from a traditional city into a planned metropolis, these developments hold significant promise. They signal a commitment to building neighbourhoods that are not only structurally sound but also socially inclusive and environmentally responsible. This vision is crucial as the city confronts rapid population growth and climate resilience challenges, making smart planning an indispensable tool for future prosperity.
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