The government of Odisha has officially declared the entire area of Puri Municipality as a Larger Urban Area, marking a major administrative step towards the creation of the state’s sixth Municipal Corporation. The decision is expected to strengthen urban governance and improve civic infrastructure in one of the most important pilgrimage cities of India.

As per official information, the boundaries of the proposed municipal corporation will extend to several surrounding locations including Malatipatapur Bus Stand, Beladala, Ura and Duhitakhanda. With the expansion, the new municipal corporation will consist of 39 wards in total.

The restructuring has been carried out by merging multiple adjoining revenue villages into the existing municipal limits. A total of thirty four revenue villages from nine neighbouring gram panchayats have now been included within the new corporation boundaries. These newly added areas will be organised into eight wards, while the previously existing municipal areas will form the remaining wards of the corporation.

Sources said the proposal submitted by the district collector received formal approval from the state government after completing the required consultation process. During the designated public objection period, no opposition or objections were recorded, allowing the proposal to move forward smoothly.

Earlier in January, the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha had issued an official notification upgrading Puri Municipality to the status of the state’s sixth Municipal Corporation. The move came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on July 3 the government’s intention to grant municipal corporation status to the temple town, fulfilling a long standing demand of residents, civic groups and local stakeholders.

The upgradation is expected to significantly enhance urban planning, infrastructure development and civic service delivery in the city. Authorities believe the new municipal corporation structure will help improve sanitation, roads, water supply, urban mobility and overall civic amenities for both residents and visitors.

With an estimated population of around 2.45 lakh, Puri receives millions of pilgrims and tourists every year due to the presence of the sacred Shree Jagannath Temple. The creation of a municipal corporation is expected to support better urban management, ensuring improved services and infrastructure for citizens, pilgrims and tourists visiting the historic coastal town.