Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) today celebrated its 41st Foundation Day with unveiling of its Annual Report – 2023 at Jaydev Bhawan here in presence of Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Sulochana Das and G. Mathi Vathanan, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Govt. of Odisha, who is also the Chairman of BDA along with Balwant Singh,Vice-Chairman, BDA & Vijay Amruta Kulange, Commissioner, BMC, Kabibdra Kumar Sahoo, Secretary, BDA and several other dignitaries.
Expressing her pleasure on BDA turning 41 while addressing the occasion, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said: “Bhubaneswar has witnessed a phenomenal growth in every aspects such as infrastructure, mobility and administration with active support of its residents over the years. From the tag of Temple City Bhubaneswar has added other feathers to its already glorious cap; such Smart City and now it’s known as India’s Sports Capital. It should be our collective endeavour to take our beloved city into greater heights in the coming days.”
Putting every component of 5-T principles (Technology, Teamwork, Transparency, Time and Transformation) into optimum use in urban planning and city administration, the BDA has been planning, designing and developing Bhubaneswar as a truly world-class and future-ready city that offers good quality, affordable and safe living environments with efficient services and green mobility systems.
Laying emphasis on BDA’s active role to unleash significant transformation and staying relevant to the varied needs of public in today’s era, G. Mathi Vathanan, Principal Secretary, H&UD Dept, GoO-cum- Chairman of BDA, who graced the occasion as a Chief Guest, urged, in present scenario, the BDA should and must play the role of a driver of holistic development of Bhubaneswar City and its residents by rising above its routine job and normal mandate. “Conceiving and executing some bigger and flagship projects, enhancing the livability, affordable housing, building new mega parks, easing traffic congestion, tackling climate change and sustainable development are the some of the aspects which BDA can resolve and people will always remember of its significant contribution to make their lives better.” Mathi Vathanan added.
Executing and delivering all projects timely and within the deadline is what the BDA VC Balwant Singh has stressed upon along with proving services with extensive use of advanced technology to reduce physical visit of office for every work. This apart, adopting public participatory approach is key to ensure planned and regulated growth in Bhubaneswar.
“Inclusive development, environmental sustainability, green economy, infrastructure development that included sufficient housing for all sections of the society, innovative interventions like transit-oriented development (TOD) hubs, land pooling, green area development and ensuring lives and livelihoods of urban poor while undertaking any enforcement and developmental activities are the main thrust areas for us now,” Singh adds.
BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange too expressed his happiness the way Bhubaneswar has been growing with proper coordination and endeavour of Team BMC and Team BDA for inclusive and sustainable growth of Bhubaneswar.
BDA Comes up About 7000 EWS Housing Units:
The BDA is also executing six affordable housing projects in the city for people belonging to lower income group and the economically weaker section of the society in which about 7000 housing units to be made available for allotment to the eligible beneficiaries of the tagged slums in the city. Around 1722 housing units are already completed and will be allotted soon. The name of such projects, which are being constructed through EPC and Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode under the ‘Housing for All’ scheme of the State Government, is given below:
1. Affordable Housing Project, Chandrasekharpur
2. Shantinagar Awas Yojana, Satyanagar
3. Rehabilitation Project of Slum and Informal Settlement Centre for EWS, Ghatikia
4. Nilamadhav Awas Yojana, Chandrasekharpur
5. Affordable Housing Project, Subudhipur
6. Affordable Housing Project, Ghatikia
In the last four decades, the BDA has provided as many as 17,000 properties which include 16273 plots/houses and 672 flats under 36 different residential schemes in Bhubaneswar. This apart, a whopping one lakh building plans has been approved so far. Now, the BDA has further simplified the process of applying plan approval through SUJOG portal by introduction of online layout approval and integration of e-registration and Bhu-lekha, which will make the registration and conversion process easier now.
The Central Eviction Monitoring Committee (CEMC), which has been immensely successful in freeing Govt. land from encroachments which subsequently used for various developmental activities. So far, around 239.22 decmil of land has been recovered by carrying out 910 eviction drives in and around the city since CEMC’s inception in 2014.
In another good news for the residents of Bhubaneswar, the BDA has participated and has been a strong contender in Incubation of New City programme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA), Govt. of India.
Meanwhile, the BDA has proposed development of a New City over 821.964 acres (332.64 Ha) of land in Daspur and Gothapatana Mouzas. The proposed city will create multi-band economic development in vibrant and resilient urban infrastructure to boost multi-pronged economic development and quality of lives.
A Comprehensive Development Plan for an extended BDP area of around 704 square kilometres comprising 364 revenue villages has been prepared and will be notified soon seeking public objections and suggestions for further improvement, if any. This apart, the BDA will notify Street design guidelines and regulations for Bhubaneswar soon incorporating various road design elements like road cross sections, junction designs, signage and other street furniture.
Under Rural Urban Transition Policy of the Govt. of Odisha, the BDA has been declared as the Nodal Agency for addition of new villages of rural area to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Area for inclusive development and better services to inhabitants.
Premium Residential Complex with Top-notch Facilities:
The BDA has come up with three housing projects and the allotment process will be completed by end of this year. These housing complexes, which are equipped with all modern amenities such as parks, open spaces, 24/7 water and power supply, sewage treatment plant and greenery etc., are located in Kalinga Nagar area at K9A, K9B and another at Subudhipur.
Daya Enclave: This residential project located at K9B has been constructed with a cost of Rs 27.50 crore has 128 2BHK flats meant for the middle-income group (MIG). The lottery for this project was held recently, which has garnered good response and allotment process is underway.
Kharavela Complex: The project located at K9A is being built at a cost of Rs 59 crore. The B+G+9 structure, which has been ready for allotment process, have total 70 units of which 56 3BHKs and 14 4BHKs on offer. The first and second floors will be utilized for commercial purpose.
Ekamra Residency: This would be BDA’s most premium and high-end residential complex till date which is set to give private builders a run for their money. The B+G+12 storeyed state-of-the-art residential housing project is being built at a cost of around Rs 199.64 crore in Subhudipur. In a first, this BDA project will boast of a rooftop swimming pool, gymnasium, shopping center and walking tracks among others.
Construction of this residential project has been completed and currently it’s at the last leg of finishing stage which will be ready soon. Equipped with all modern amenities, the residential complex offers 416 2BHKs and 288 3BHKs for the middle as well as high-income groups.
Town Planning Schemes & Ensuring Civic Amenities for Residents:
The BDA is currently executing ground works of four Town Planning Scheme in seven villages namely Paikarapur, Sijuput, Sahajpur, Naragoda, Tamando, Shyamasundarpur and Nuagaon etc. The road network, drainage, electrification of the Town Planning Scheme area are being carried aggressively to meet the housing needs of public keeping in view rapid urbanization in the Capital City.
To offer best of civic services to the residents of the Capital City, the BDA will come with a Pet Care Centre for the pet dogs near Jatni and three crematoriums across the city. Along with, development of Sikharchandi Temple area has taken up this year and the Abdul Kalam Park is being developed to a new dimension. Besides, the BDA is planning to develop a wholesale market in Bhagabanpur Mouza in the city outskirts over 10 acre of land.
BDA Felicitates Meritorious HSC Students:
During the event, four meritorious students, children of BDA staff, were felicitated for their exceptional performance (secured more than 90% marks) in HSC Examination this year. The awardees include Prativa Prusty, daughter of Shri Prakash Chandra Prusty, Enforcement Inspector, Srabani Sahoo, daughter of Bhimasan Sahoo, Office Assistant, Sandip Mohanty, son of Sarbeswar Mohanty, Amin, Aniket Mohanty, son of Bimalendu Mohanty, Executive Engineer of BDA. The four bright students were given certificates and cash prize of Rs. 5000 each.
Pooja Lenka, Additional Land Officer, BDA moderated the programme and welcomed the guests. Kabindra Kumar Sahoo, Secetary, BDA gave the inaugural speech and Biswaranjan Rath, Senior Administrative Officer, BDA offered vote of thanks.
Among others who were present are Harish Chandra Nayak, Additional Commissioner (Enforcement), Mrutunjay Tripathy, OAS, Land Officer, Snigdharani Dhal, Joint Commissioner (Commerce), Dr. Sweta Dash, Allotment Officer – II, Mayadhar Behera, OAS, Allotment Officer -I, Gauri Shankar Bhuyan, Planning Member, Kaushik Dhal, Engineering Member, L. P Mohapatra, Superintending Engineer and Ambika Prasad Mohanty, Executive Engineer.