Ending a long wait, the Odisha government officially upgraded Puri from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation. This decision marks a significant administrative milestone for the historic coastal city, renowned as one of India’s premier pilgrimage destinations and a vital urban center in the state.
According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Housing and Urban Development Department issued a formal notification approving the upgrade of Puri municipality into a municipal corporation. With this move, Puri has become the sixth city in Odisha to attain municipal corporation status, following Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced the government’s intent to upgrade Puri in July.
The new status is anticipated to significantly enhance civic administration, infrastructure development, and the delivery of urban services. Municipal corporation status provides greater financial and administrative autonomy, facilitating improved planning and execution of projects related to sanitation, water supply, roads, and solid waste management. This upgrade is expected to benefit residents, pilgrims, and tourists alike.
As a municipal corporation, Puri will be better positioned to access central government assistance under schemes designed for major urban centers and pilgrimage cities. This support is likely to aid large-scale infrastructure upgrades, heritage conservation, and improved public amenities, especially given the city’s significant seasonal footfall.
As part of a New Year initiative, the Odisha government also declared four towns as Notified Area Councils. These include Loisingha in Bolangir district, Chandikhol in Jajpur district, Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district, and Basta in Balasore district. Additionally, the state has notified the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation, signaling a broader push towards urban reorganization and improved local governance.
Q1. What is the significance of Puri's upgrade to a Municipal Corporation?
Answer: Puri's upgrade enhances its administrative capabilities, allowing for better infrastructure development and urban service delivery, benefiting residents and tourists alike.
Q2. How many municipal corporations are there in Odisha now?
Answer: With Puri's upgrade, there are now six municipal corporations in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela.
Q3. What benefits does municipal corporation status provide?
Answer: Municipal corporation status grants greater financial autonomy, improved governance, and better access to central government schemes for infrastructure and services.
Q4. What are Notified Area Councils in Odisha?
Answer: Notified Area Councils are local governance bodies established to improve administrative efficiency in smaller towns, enhancing urban management.
Q5. How does Puri's upgrade impact tourism?
Answer: The upgrade is expected to improve public amenities and infrastructure, making Puri more attractive for pilgrims and tourists, especially during peak seasons.
Question 1: Which city was recently upgraded to a Municipal Corporation in Odisha?
A) Cuttack
B) Puri
C) Rourkela
D) Berhampur
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How many municipal corporations are there in Odisha after Puri's upgrade?
A) Five
B) Six
C) Seven
D) Eight
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is one of the key benefits of municipal corporation status?
A) Increased taxes
B) Greater financial autonomy
C) Decreased governance
D) Limited infrastructure
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which amendment governs urban local bodies in India?
A) 61st Amendment
B) 73rd Amendment
C) 74th Amendment
D) 86th Amendment
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: What is a Notified Area Council?
A) A type of municipal corporation
B) A local governance body for smaller towns
C) A state-level administrative unit
D) A central government agency
Correct Answer: B
Kutos : AI Assistant!
