: In a major boost to Odisha’s urban infrastructure, the State Government has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art Multipurpose Convention Centre in Puri with a seating capacity of 1,000 people. The ambitious project is expected to transform the holy city into a premier destination for conferences, exhibitions, cultural programmes, and large public events.

The announcement was made by Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra during the State-Level Urban Outreach Programme organised by the Housing & Urban Development Department under the theme “Jan Bhagidari for Viksit Odisha: Empowered Citizens – Inclusive Cities – Sustainable Urban Future.”

The proposed convention centre will feature modern amenities and flexible event spaces designed to host national and international conferences, academic seminars, government functions, business meetings, cultural festivals, exhibitions, and community events. The facility is expected to address the long-standing need for a world-class venue in Puri while significantly enhancing the city’s event-hosting capabilities.

Highlighting Puri’s growing importance as one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations and an emerging global tourism hub, Dr. Mahapatra said the convention centre would strengthen the city’s infrastructure and support its expanding role in tourism, culture, and economic development.

“Puri occupies a special place on the global cultural and spiritual map. As the city continues to attract visitors, pilgrims, scholars, and delegates from across India and abroad, the need for a modern convention facility has become increasingly important. This project will not only bridge a critical infrastructure gap but also create new opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, knowledge-sharing, and economic growth,” the Minister said.

He further directed the Commissioner of the Puri Municipal Corporation to initiate all necessary administrative procedures and preparatory work on priority to ensure the timely execution of the project.

Dr. Mahapatra also announced that the State Government is preparing a broader roadmap to develop similar multipurpose civic infrastructure across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha in a phased manner. The initiative aims to improve urban amenities, encourage community participation, and meet the evolving needs of rapidly expanding urban centres.

The announcement received an enthusiastic response from public representatives, citizens, and stakeholders attending the programme, who described the proposed convention centre as a landmark project for Puri’s future.

Once completed, the convention centre is expected to become a major civic landmark, reinforcing Puri’s position as a leading cultural, spiritual, and tourism destination while advancing Odisha’s vision of sustainable, inclusive, and citizen-centric urban development.

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Ivory-Pink Theme to Transform the Holy City

Ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra, the historic city of Puri is set to be transformed with a uniform heritage-inspired color scheme. All buildings along the main route from Atharanala to the Grand Road (Bada Danda) will be painted in a common ivory or pale pink shade, giving the city a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The beautification initiative is being undertaken by the Puri-Konark Development Authority (PKDA) under the Housing and Urban Development Department at an estimated cost of ₹2.35 crore.

Enhancing the Pilgrim Experience

The primary objective of the project is to ensure that devotees arriving in Puri experience the grandeur and heritage of the sacred city from the moment they enter through Atharanala. The uniform color code is expected to create a visually harmonious environment while highlighting Puri’s rich cultural and spiritual significance.

Work on restoring the heritage look of buildings along the Grand Road has already begun. Structures located on both sides of the main route—from Atharanala through Medical Square to Bada Danda—are being painted in the designated ivory-pink shade.

Government Invests ₹2.35 Crore in Beautification Drive

The Odisha government has allocated nearly ₹2.35 crore for the project. Officials believe the initiative will not only enhance the beauty and dignity of the heritage city but also leave a lasting impression on the lakhs of devotees and tourists who visit Puri during the annual Rath Yatra.

Inspired by Earlier Heritage Projects

A similar color-coding initiative had been implemented during the 2015 Nabakalebara festival and later during the Shree Mandir Parikrama Project. However, this time the project has been expanded significantly, covering the entire stretch from Atharanala—the gateway to Puri—up to the Grand Road.

Illegal Signboards to Be Removed

As part of the city’s beautification efforts, the Puri district administration has also directed the immediate removal of unauthorized signboards that detract from the heritage character of the city. Officials say the move will help preserve the visual appeal of the pilgrimage destination.

Citizens Welcome the Initiative

The universal color-code project has received a positive response from residents, intellectuals, and heritage enthusiasts. Several prominent buildings, including Purushottam Bhakta Nivas, the Multi-Level Parking Complex, Kumbharapada Police Station, and WATCO buildings, are already being painted in the approved shade.

PKDA has also instructed private property owners along the designated route to follow the same color scheme, ensuring a consistent and unified appearance throughout the city.

A New Look for the Holy City Before Rath Yatra

With the Rath Yatra drawing closer, the large-scale makeover is expected to give Puri a fresh yet heritage-centric identity. The initiative reflects the government’s broader vision of preserving the city’s cultural legacy while enhancing its appeal as one of India’s most important pilgrimage destinations.

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In a significant step towards improving citizen-centric governance and ensuring timely justice, the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department organized a Special Camp Court at UNNATI Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The initiative was undertaken to expedite the disposal of appeal cases filed under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982, and reduce the backlog of pending cases.

Usha Padhee Presides Over Proceedings

The Camp Court was convened under the leadership of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department. As the designated Appellate Authority for matters related to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), she personally reviewed and heard a large number of pending appeals during the day-long session.

142 Cases Disposed of in a Single Day

A total of 142 appeal cases were heard and disposed of during the Special Camp Court. Most of the cases involved appeals filed by citizens against orders issued by BDA and BMC under the provisions of the ODA Act.

The successful disposal of such a large number of cases in a single day is expected to provide relief to citizens awaiting resolution of their grievances and contribute to reducing case pendency.

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability

Officials stated that the initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to transparent, responsive, and accessible governance. By offering citizens an effective platform to challenge administrative decisions and seek redressal of grievances, the Camp Court reinforced the principles of fairness, accountability, and due process.

Decentralized Appellate System to Speed Up Case Disposal

As part of broader reforms, the state government has recently designated senior officers, including Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, as Appellate Authorities for similar cases. This decentralized mechanism is expected to further accelerate the disposal of appeals and improve service delivery in urban areas.

Positive Response from Citizens

The Special Camp Court received an encouraging response from citizens and stakeholders. The Housing & Urban Development Department has announced plans to continue such initiatives in a phased and time-bound manner to clear pending cases and strengthen public confidence in urban governance institutions.

The move is being seen as an important step toward making governance more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly across Odisha.

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