Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation, Becomes Odisha’s Sixth

Historic Upgrade for a Pilgrimage City

Ending a long wait, the Odisha government has officially upgraded Puri from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation, marking a major administrative milestone for the state’s iconic coastal and pilgrimage city. The formal notification was issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department, following an announcement by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi earlier in July.

Statewide Urban Context

With this decision, Puri becomes the sixth Municipal Corporation in Odisha, joining Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela. The upgrade reflects the state’s recognition of Puri’s growing urban footprint, its religious importance, and the increasing pressure on civic infrastructure due to large inflows of pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.

Governance and Infrastructure Gains

Municipal Corporation status provides greater financial and administrative autonomy to urban local bodies. For Puri, this is expected to translate into improved planning and execution of projects related to sanitation, drinking water supply, road development, stormwater drainage and solid waste management. Enhanced governance capacity is also crucial for managing the city’s dense seasonal population during major religious events.

Improved Access to Central Support

As a Municipal Corporation, Puri will now be better placed to access central government schemes targeted at large urban centres and heritage or pilgrimage cities. These funds are expected to support infrastructure modernisation, heritage conservation, public transport improvements and better civic amenities, strengthening the city’s long-term urban resilience.

Wider Urban Reorganisation in Odisha

Alongside Puri’s upgrade, the state government has declared four towns—Loisingha, Chandikhol, Jashipur and Basta—as Notified Area Councils. It has also approved the expansion of Berhampur Municipal Corporation limits, signalling a broader push towards urban reorganisation and improved local governance across Odisha.

Important Facts for Exams

• Puri is the sixth Municipal Corporation in Odisha

• Municipal Corporations enjoy higher financial and administrative powers

• Puri is a major pilgrimage and tourism centre

• Urban local bodies are governed under the 74th Constitutional Amendment