Odisha is witnessing its biggest infrastructure transformation ever. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced 12 massive projects that will completely change how people live, work, and travel in the state. These projects, worth thousands of crores, are part of Vision 2036 and promise to make Odisha a modern economic powerhouse.
- What’s Coming to Odisha
- 1. 21 New Towns Get Urban Status
- 4. New Satellite City for 200,000 People
- 5. The USD 500 Billion Dream: BCPPER Economic Zone
- 6. Design-Led Development: Odisha Urban Design Hub
- 7. Roads Worth Rs 2.3 Lakh Crore
- 8. Mega IT Park: 1,000 Hectares of Tech Hub
- 9. World-Class Convention Center and Government Buildings
- 10. Airport Upgrades: Heritage Meets Modernity
- 11. Mining Boost: 22 New Mine Auctions
- 12. Solving Cuttack’s Traffic Problems
- Additional Road Infrastructure Boost
- What This Means for Odisha’s Future
From new airports to metro systems, smart cities to mega IT parks, here’s everything you need to know about Odisha’s infrastructure revolution in 2025.
What’s Coming to Odisha
The state government has lined up projects that will touch every corner of Odisha. These aren’t just roads and buildings – they’re about creating jobs, boosting business, and improving life for millions of people.
1. 21 New Towns Get Urban Status
During Independence Day 2024, CM Majhi announced something big – 21 new areas will become Notified Area Councils (NACs). This means better planning, more services, and modern facilities for people living in these growing towns. But that’s just the beginning. The government has also announced:
-A massive 75,000 km road construction plan over five years
-Four brand new ports at Inchudi, Bahuda, Subarnarekha, and Astaranga
-Rs 1,000 crore for disaster-proof roads covering 500 km
-Rs 426 crore to upgrade rural roads across 142 areas
2. Sky-High Ambitions: 14 New Airports and 15 Heliports
Odisha is getting serious about aviation. The state plans to build 14 new airports and 15 heliports. This isn’t just about passenger travel – it’s about cargo, emergency services, and making remote areas accessible.
The most exciting part? A special program called B-MAAN will train tribal girls to become commercial pilots. There’s also a new aircraft maintenance facility coming to Biju Patnaik International Airport.
3. Bhubaneswar Metro: Finally Moving Forward
After years of waiting, Bhubaneswar’s metro project is becoming real. The state has officially submitted the proposal to Delhi, and a technical committee is now studying the best routes and costs.
They’re also looking at successful metro systems in other cities to make sure Bhubaneswar gets the best possible design for Phase 1.
4. New Satellite City for 200,000 People
Just outside Bhubaneswar, a brand new city is being planned. This 338-hectare township will house 200,000 people and will be connected by the massive Capital Region Ring Road project worth Rs 8,307 crore.
The ring road will be six lanes wide, stretch 110.87 km, and connect Rameshwar to Tangi. The new city will run on solar power and get funding from international sources like the Asian Development Bank.
5. The USD 500 Billion Dream: BCPPER Economic Zone
Here’s the most ambitious plan of all. The government wants to turn the Biju-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri Paradip region into a USD 500 billion economic hub by 2047. The plan includes:
- A new city in Chandaka
- Smart “New Cuttack” spread over 426 acres
- A 2,500-acre Aerotropolis in Puri
- A 200-acre medical city in Cuttack
- A huge 5,000-acre industrial zone between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
6. Design-Led Development: Odisha Urban Design Hub
The new Odisha Urban Design Hub (OUDH) will oversee development in 11 major cities. It’s not just about building – it’s about creating beautiful, functional spaces that respect local culture and heritage.
Cities covered include Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and others. The hub will work on 15-minute city concepts and manage seven major public space projects.
7. Roads Worth Rs 2.3 Lakh Crore
The Works Minister has announced the biggest road investment in Odisha’s history – Rs 2.3 lakh crore over five years. This includes:
-Ring roads for 11 cities
-A new Greenfield Corridor from Berhampur to Jeypor
-Better irrigation for 1.5 million hectares of farmland
8. Mega IT Park: 1,000 Hectares of Tech Hub
The Twin City region (Cuttack-Bhubaneswar) is getting a massive 1,000-hectare IT park. This “Plug-and Play” facility will offer 10 lakh square meters of ready-to-use space for tech companies.
The goal is to attract big national and international companies and make eastern India a major technology destination.
9. World-Class Convention Center and Government Buildings
Chandrasekharpur will soon have a world-class Odisha Mandap convention center with space for 10,000 people, plus integrated hotels and modern facilities.
The government is also upgrading the Lok Seva Bhawan and Legislative Assembly building with modern, earthquake-resistant designs.
10. Airport Upgrades: Heritage Meets Modernity
Bhubaneswar’s airport is getting a third terminal (T-3) that will showcase Odisha’s rich culture through its design. The Union Civil Aviation Minister has already approved this heritage-inspired terminal.
Puri is also getting its own airport, with land and site issues already resolved.
11. Mining Boost: 22 New Mine Auctions
To fund all this development, the state plans to auction 22 additional mines. This will boost industrial growth and bring in more revenue for infrastructure projects.
12. Solving Cuttack’s Traffic Problems
Cuttack’s notorious traffic jams will soon be history. A Rs 640-crore elevated corridor from OMP Square to Kandarpur is ready to start construction. The detailed project report is complete and waiting for final approval.
Additional Road Infrastructure Boost
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently launched 19 road projects worth Rs 4,173 crore in Bhubaneswar. These projects cover 154 kilometers and include:
-Kanaktora-Jharsuguda Road: 68 km, 4-lane road costing Rs 2,000 crore
-Puri-Konark Link Road: 25 km, 4-lane road worth Rs 800 crore
-Multiple bypasses for cities like Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Bolangir
The total road development pipeline in Odisha is now worth Rs 3 lakh crore over the next two years.
What This Means for Odisha’s Future
These infrastructure projects aren’t just about construction – they’re about transformation. Here’s what people can expect:
Better Connectivity: Shorter travel times between cities, better airport access, and smoother traffic flow.
More Jobs: Construction work will create immediate jobs, while new IT parks and industrial zones will
provide long-term employment.
Economic Growth: Better infrastructure attracts businesses, which brings investment and prosperity.
Quality of Life: Modern urban planning, better public spaces, and sustainable development will make
cities more livable.
Tourism Boost: New airports, better roads, and the Puri-Konark corridor will make it easier for tourists to
visit Odisha’s attractions.
The success of these projects depends on what leaders call the “Double Engine Government” coordination between the BJP-led central government and the state government. This partnership has already shown results with quick approvals and fast implementation.
Union Minister Gadkari praised this approach, saying that since CM Majhi took charge, Odisha’s development has gained “unprecedented momentum.” While these projects promise great benefits, they also face challenges:
Funding: Managing such massive investments requires careful financial planning
Environment: Balancing development with environmental protection, especially around wildlife areas
Implementation: Coordinating multiple large projects simultaneously
Skills: Training local people for new job opportunities in aviation, IT, and other sectors
Most projects are expected to begin in 2025, with completion timelines varying from 2 to 5 years. The government has set up technical committees and approval processes to ensure smooth implementation. Priority projects include:
Bhubaneswar Metro feasibility study
Capital Region Ring Road construction
New airport and heliport development
IT park construction
Odisha is not just building roads and buildings – it’s building its future. These 12 mega infrastructure projects represent the biggest transformation the state has ever seen.
From tribal girls learning to fly planes to smart cities powered by solar energy, from ancient temple routes getting modern roads to new ports opening up global trade – Odisha is preparing to become India’s next big success story.
The next few years will be crucial. If these projects succeed, Odisha could emerge as a model for other states, showing how vision, planning, and coordination can transform an entire region.
For the people of Odisha, these aren’t just infrastructure projects – they’re the foundation of a brighter, more prosperous future.
Stay updated with the latest developments in Odisha’s infrastructure revolution as these exciting projects take shape throughout 2025 and beyond.
