Bhubaneswar: Odisha is targeting a USD 500 billion economy by 2036, when the state will complete 100 years as a separate entity, with urbanisation expected to increase from the current 17% to 40%, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Saturday.
Addressing the National Urban Conclave-2026 in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said the state had begun developing modern infrastructure and institutions to support its urban transformation and accelerate economic growth.
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Purvodaya policy, Odisha has emerged as a major growth engine of the country, the Chief Minister said.
He emphasised the need to develop inclusive, technology-enabled cities equipped with modern amenities, noting that India’s urban population is expected to surpass its rural population by 2047.
Majhi further said Odisha had created significant investment opportunities in industrialisation, port development, tourism and the services sector. The state has received investment proposals worth Rs 23 lakh crore, while more than 200 enterprises have completed the grounding process, involving investments of Rs 3.5 lakh crore.
The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep Economic Region is being established with the guidance of the Centre and NITI Aayog. The state is also developing new satellite townships through the expansion of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. In addition, 28 new Notified Area Councils, seven municipalities and one municipal corporation have been created, he said.
Highlighting the state government’s urban welfare initiatives, Majhi said 1.53 lakh houses had been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U). A sum of Rs 1,615 crore has been sanctioned for the next five years under the PMAY Urban Bandhu programme within PMAY 2.0. Under the initiative, economically weaker section beneficiaries receive a 90% exemption on stamp duty and registration fees.
The state is spending Rs 6,000 crore on infrastructure under its urban development scheme. The Chief Minister also highlighted 24-hour drinkable tap water supply in 11 cities and the Rs 1,600 crore Swachh Odisha Yojana.
Under the Garima scheme, the government is providing sanitation workers with modern machines, safety equipment, life insurance and social security benefits to safeguard their dignity and improve workplace safety.
