Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation, Marking a New Era of Urban Development
Puri, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations and home to Lord Jagannath, has officially been elevated from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation effective December 31, 2025.
The Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha issued the statutory notification, fulfilling a longstanding demand of residents and devotees.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had first announced the decision on July 3, 2025, promising improved civic amenities, modern infrastructure, and enhanced services for the holy city.
The upgrade is expected to accelerate projects in waste management, drainage, and urban planning, while safeguarding Puri’s spiritual heritage.
Alongside Puri’s elevation, the government declared four towns—Loisingha (Bolangir), Chandikhol (Jajpur), Jashipur (Mayurbhanj), and Basta (Balasore)—as Notified Area Councils (NACs).
Additionally, the jurisdiction of Berhampur Municipal Corporation has been expanded, as announced earlier during Local Self-Governance Day.
Residents have welcomed the move with immense joy, seeing it as a step toward a prosperous, well-developed holy city.
These developments mark a major push toward balanced urban growth and improved governance across Odisha.
