Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation, Becomes Odisha’s Sixth MC

The Odisha government has officially upgraded Puri from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation, marking a major administrative milestone for the historic coastal city. Puri is one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations and a key urban centre in the state.

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Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation, Becomes Odisha’s Sixth MC

Official Notification and Statewide Context

According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Housing and Urban Development Department issued a formal notification approving the upgradation. With this decision, Puri has become the sixth city in Odisha to receive municipal corporation status.

The other municipal corporations in Odisha are:

• Bhubaneswar
• Cuttack
• Berhampur
• Sambalpur
• Rourkela

The announcement had earlier been made by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in July.

Expected Benefits for Urban Governance

Granting municipal corporation status is expected to significantly improve urban governance and civic administration in Puri. The new status provides greater financial and administrative autonomy, allowing the city to plan and execute large infrastructure projects more efficiently.

Key focus areas include:

• Sanitation and solid waste management
• Drinking water supply
• Road and transport infrastructure
• Improved civic services for residents, pilgrims, and tourists

Access to Central Schemes and Funding

As a municipal corporation, Puri will now be better placed to access central government schemes meant for major urban centres and pilgrimage cities. This is expected to support:

• Large-scale infrastructure development
• Heritage conservation projects
• Enhanced public amenities

The move is particularly significant given Puri’s heavy seasonal tourist and pilgrim footfall.

New NACs and Expansion of Urban Limits

As part of a broader urban reorganisation drive, the Odisha government has also declared four towns as Notified Area Councils (NACs):

• Loisingha (Bolangir district)
• Chandikhol (Jajpur district)
• Jashipur (Mayurbhanj district)
• Basta (Balasore district)

In addition, the state has approved the expansion of the jurisdiction of Berhampur Municipal Corporation, indicating a wider push towards strengthening urban local governance.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Puri is now the sixth municipal corporation in Odisha
• Earlier status: Municipality
• Municipal corporations have greater financial and administrative powers
• Puri is a major pilgrimage and tourism centre
• Urban local bodies function under the 74th Constitutional Amendment

Question & Answer

Q1. Puri was recently upgraded from a municipality to which type of urban local body?
(a) Nagar Panchayat
(b) Notified Area Council
(c) Municipal Corporation
(d) Cantonment Board
Answer: Municipal Corporation

Q2. Puri has become which numbered municipal corporation in Odisha?
(a) Fourth
(b) Fifth
(c) Sixth
(d) Seventh
Answer: Sixth

Q3. Which department issued the notification for upgrading Puri to a municipal corporation?
(a) Revenue Department
(b) Home Department
(c) Housing and Urban Development Department
(d) Panchayati Raj Department
Answer: Housing and Urban Development Department

Q4. Urban local bodies in India derive their constitutional status from which amendment?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 44th Amendment
(c) 73rd Amendment
(d) 74th Amendment
Answer: 74th Amendment

Q5. Which of the following towns was declared a Notified Area Council in Odisha?
(a) Baripada
(b) Basta
(c) Puri
(d) Kendrapara
Answer: Basta

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