Will Puri Municipality Transform into a Corporation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Puri Municipality to be upgraded to a Municipal Corporation.
- Enhancements in civic amenities and infrastructure.
- Incorporation of surrounding Gram Panchayats for improved services.
- Plans for a world-class Shree Jagannath Museum and Library.
- Commitment to making Puri a top spiritual destination by 2036.
Bhubaneswar, July 4 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, has declared the upgrade of Puri Municipality to a Municipal Corporation to enhance civic amenities and infrastructure for both residents and visitors.
This upgrade marks the sixth municipal corporation to be established in Odisha.
In an official release, CM Majhi stated: “As the principal servant (Sevak), I have been entrusted with significant responsibilities by the people of Odisha. One of my key duties is to provide qualitative and basic amenities to the countless devotees visiting Puri and its residents. I have personally witnessed that the current Puri Municipality has not met the needs of both the locals and the visiting pilgrims adequately.”
Majhi further emphasized the necessity for structural reform in local self-government to deliver quality public services and modern infrastructure.
“To cater to the growing population in Puri, along with the devotees and tourists arriving year-round, our government has resolved to transition Puri Municipality into a Municipal Corporation,” he remarked.
The proposed Puri Municipal Corporation is set to encompass the city and the surrounding Gram Panchayats.
The state government has indicated that approximately 7–8 Gram Panchayats from the Puri Sadara and Brahmagiri blocks will be merged into the municipal corporation.
This merger aims to ensure that residents in those rural areas also benefit from urban-like amenities and services. The Chief Minister announced that the formal procedures will commence the following day, with all necessary administrative measures being implemented.
Majhi reiterated the state government’s commitment to transforming Puri into the country’s premier spiritual and tourist hub by 2036. Achieving corporation status is a pivotal step towards that goal, facilitating targeted development projects, infrastructure enhancements, and effective service delivery.
“A beautiful, green, and developed Puri is vital for a thriving Odisha. Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in achieving that vision,” Majhi declared.
In another noteworthy announcement, the Chief Minister revealed plans for a world-class Shree Jagannath Museum, Library, and Research Center to be constructed at Puri, all within a single complex.
The Jagannath Museum will highlight the history of the 12th-century shrine along with various aspects of Jagannath culture and Odisha through art, miniature statues, Pattachitra, and more.
A library and a Jagannath Culture Research Center will also be established on the same premises, featuring literature on Jagannath and Odia culture and traditions.
Visitors will have access to an e-library facility, and the state government will also build an auditorium with a seating capacity for 300 guests for cultural events centered around Jagannath culture.