Odisha Faces 450‑Planner Shortfall as ITPI Urges Urban Planning Overhaul
Bhubaneswar: With Odisha’s urban population projected to surge from 17% in 2025 to nearly 60% by 2047, the Institute of Town Planners of India (ITPI), Odisha Chapter, has urged the state government to address the acute shortage of professional town planners.
Currently, Odisha has only about 20 planners against a requirement of nearly 470, leaving a gap of around 450 positions.
Many sanctioned posts remain vacant, and several urban authorities lack dedicated planning staff.
Town planning, a multidisciplinary profession covering land use, housing, transport, environment, and economic development, is seen as critical for sustainable urban growth.
ITPI has recommended immediate recruitment of planners, strengthening of the Directorate of Town Planning, Development Authorities, SUDA, DUDA, and municipal bodies, and creation of a dedicated Odisha Town Planning Service (OTPS) cadre with uniform recruitment rules.
The institute also highlighted the availability of a talent pool, with graduates from OUTR’s B.Plan and M.Plan programs since 2015, alongside professionals from IITs, SPAs, and CEPT.
Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra welcomed the proposals, stressing the need for robust planning frameworks to build sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive cities.
