Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: The Odisha government has accelerated the development of the proposed new city in Bhubaneswar, with Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Usha Padhee instructing officials to expedite the preparation of the master plan and ensure its completion within the scheduled timeframe, officials said on Friday.

Virtual Meeting with Singapore Firm

According to official sources, a virtual meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Padhee with representatives of Singapore-based Surbana Jurong Infrastructure PTE Ltd. The meeting, conducted at Kharavela Bhavan, was attended by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana, Additional Secretary Shatrughna Kar, and other senior officials.

During the discussions, officials recalled that on January 17, 2025, during the visit of the President of Singapore to India, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between BDA and Surbana Jurong for planning and developing the proposed new city in Bhubaneswar.

Scope of the Project

Following detailed deliberations, the draft scope of services for preparing the master plan has been finalized. The project will cover approximately 800 acres of land across Gothapatna, Malipada, and Daspur mouzas within the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA). The proposal received earlier approval from the State Cabinet on September 10, 2025.

Surbana Jurong will prepare the master plan by identifying priority projects across short, medium, and long-term phases. Each project will outline objectives, scope of work, timelines, and urban design standards. The firm will also provide technical support for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

Urban Design Guidelines

The scope includes preparation of comprehensive urban design frameworks and guidelines, covering development zones, city centres, public spaces, catalytic projects, and ecological areas such as forests. The plan aims to ensure sustainable, integrated, and future-ready urban development.

Directive from Principal Secretary

Padhee instructed BDA to maintain close coordination with all stakeholders and complete the master plan preparation within the prescribed schedule. She emphasized that the project is crucial for Bhubaneswar’s transformation into a well-planned, sustainable, and forward-looking city.