Odisha Creates 24 New NACs to Accelerate Urban Growth
State moves closer to 60% urbanisation target by 2047
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken a major step towards expanding urban areas in the state by announcing the creation of new urban local bodies. On Monday, the government declared the formation of Notified Area Councils (NACs) in 24 towns across 14 districts, as part of its long-term plan to urbanise 60 per cent of the state by 2047.
The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has also issued draft notifications for upgrading five existing NACs into full-fledged municipalities.
New NACs Across Multiple Districts
According to officials, final notifications have been issued for the constitution of NACs in several towns. These include Pallahara in Angul district; Simulia in Balasore; Sohela in Bargarh; Tihidi and Dhusuri in Bhadrak; Salipur, Badamba and Narasinghpur in Cuttack; Gondia in Dhenkanal; Jagannathprasad and Patrapur in Ganjam; Narla and Jayapatna in Kalahandi; Tangi in Khurda; Borigumma in Koraput; Betnoti, Bangiriposi, Chitrada, Kaptipada and Rasgobindpur in Mayurbhanj; Bissamcuttack in Rayagada; Bamra and Rengali in Sambalpur; and Birmaharajpur in Sonepur.
With the creation of these NACs, residents of these towns will now come under urban governance, allowing for better planning, infrastructure development, and access to civic services.
Five NACs to Become Municipalities
In addition to the new NACs, the government has issued draft notifications to upgrade five existing NACs into municipalities. These towns include Boudhgarh in Boudh district, Bhanjanagar, Kabisuryanagar and Polsara in Ganjam district, and Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district.
Once the upgrade process is completed, these areas will receive greater administrative powers, higher budget allocations, and improved urban infrastructure.
Increase in Urban Local Bodies
At present, Odisha has 115 urban local bodies (ULBs), including 62 NACs, 48 municipalities, and five municipal corporations. With the addition of the new NACs, the total number of ULBs in the state will increase to 139.
The revised structure will include 86 NACs, 48 municipalities, and five municipal corporations, significantly expanding the reach of urban governance in Odisha.
Linked to Self-Governance Day Announcement
The latest notification follows the state government’s announcement made earlier this year on Self-Governance Day, when it declared plans to establish 36 new ULBs in phases, including 28 NACs.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also announced the upgradation of Puri municipality into the state’s sixth municipal corporation. Currently, Odisha has five municipal corporations—Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Rourkela.
Puri Municipal Corporation in the Pipeline
As per the Chief Minister’s announcement in July, the Puri Municipal Corporation will be formed soon by merging Puri city with seven to eight surrounding gram panchayats. This move is expected to improve urban planning and infrastructure in the temple town, which attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.
Urban Growth Targets Up to 2047
Officials from the Housing and Urban Development Department said the expansion of urban local bodies is part of Odisha’s long-term development vision aligned with the Viksit Odisha goals.
The state aims to increase its urban population coverage from the current 17 per cent to 30 per cent by 2029, 40 per cent by 2036, and 60 per cent by 2047.
Bridging the Urban–Rural Gap
The government believes that expanding urban governance will help bridge the gap between rural and urban development. The move is expected to bring better infrastructure, improved civic services, employment opportunities, and planned growth to fast-developing towns across Odisha.
