Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA)

Bhubaneswar Development Authority or BDA is a statutory department liable to keep the town of Bhubaneswar developed and beautified as per contemporary times. It was established on September 1st, 1983, under the Odisha Development Authority Act 1982. Earlier, the number of villages included under BDA’s jurisdiction was 115. Still, at this point in time, some new villages were inculcated under its mission, and now the final number turns out to be 556.

The main working force to run Bhubaneswar Development Authority is its call to ensure sustainable growth and planned development with a people-centric and innovative approach. The authority prepared a CDP (Comprehensive Development Plant) in 2010 and Zonal Development Plan to assure effective and efficient planning at the micro-level. 

There are many projects targeted by the authorities which are either completed or in the running stage to get the town in a better-renovated shape than it already is. It includes ensuring houses to a minimum of 10,000 slum population. And to include Smart Parks, Open Air Gyms and Acupressure Walkways in parks to arrange healthy lifestyles for the people of Bhubaneswar. 

The authority extensively works for the advancement of Bhubaneswar town in all aspects, be it infrastructure, technology or services offered to its citizens. The dominant aspect of BDA Bhubaneswar is to make sure that the town attains world-class infrastructure with easily accessible facilities. The facilities can include well-maintained roads, a gymnasium, and Heritage sites, and achieve the motive of being a town to motivate people for non-motorised transport and healthy lifestyle.

Role and Mission of the BDA

The main role of BDA Bhubaneswar is to frame plans for the development of the city as a whole, including different zonal development plans. Coordinate with the development and usage of land pieces, including private land. To frame up schemes which target the development of the slum population as a whole, including clearance of unauthorised encroachment. And last but not least, to strengthen the green cover of the city by giving a boost to the bulk plantation drive.

The mission of BDA or Bhubaneswar Development Authority as specified are given below:-

1. To formulate a CDP or Comprehensive Development Plan, ZDP or Zonal Development Plan and IDP or Interim Development Plan.
2. Ensure environmental development is included in the Urban Diaspora.
3. To frame schemes regarding Town Planning and Area Development Plans.
4. To create a separate Land Bank as a database for efficient Urban Development.
5. To develop Housing and Urban infrastructure for enhancing livability in and of the city.
6. To control encroachment of Government property and lands, thus regulating Planning and Building arrangements.
7. To make provision for affordable housing and redevelopment of Slums.
8. To avail quality products at an affordable price and timely delivery to respective people.
9. To dispose of pending cases, a form of Grievance Cell with sufficient publicity.
10. To make provisions for availing printed information on time-bound disposal of distinct transactions at the reception.
11. To adopt a Tatkal Scheme for the issuance of building permits in a time period of 15 days.
12. To follow a time-specific course for a variety of transactions.
13. And prompt, lent and courteous service with fairness and dedication.

Projects by the BDA

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority has broadly covered a few major areas like Planning, horticulture, Estate and Engineering. Every block has some ongoing and some completed projects. But, some of the major projects have been covered below thoroughly:-

• Bhubaneswar One-

This project is implemented as part of Smart City Bhubaneswar. It is a web application based on the map which will assimilate geo-spatial data from private and government organisations to acquire authentic information, such as plot boundaries, CDP map, village boundaries, revenue, public services, different tourist sites, locations, ward information etc. 

• Complete Street Project-

Under it, 120 km of the road network has been identified to implement a complete redesigning zone onto it. It inculcates street planning to accommodate bulky traffic and to distribute road space equally to all users like cyclists, vehicles, pedestrians, public transport etc. It will then ensure a well-planned integration of underground or overground utilities, bus shelters, signage etc. 

• Ekamra Heritage Walks-

This project is a celebration and rediscovery of the city’s affluent architectural treasures, rituals, traditions and customs altogether. The area, also known as OLD TOWN, was earlier known as Ekamra Kshetra, which means an area spruced up with mango trees. A guided walk through its streets, landscapes, and temples will help the visitors to reconnect with the city’s gratifying past.

• Heritage Signage Project-

Ekamra Kshetra, a heritage zone marked in CDP for Bhubaneswar Development Authority Act 2010. BDA Bhubaneswar has drafted guidelines to improvise this zone to provide crisp and clear information about heritage monuments, which is also consistent, relevant and aesthetically pleasing for all heritage sites. This, in turn, will help promote an attractive and unified appearance of all the facilities and waive off ineffective, inconsistent, and unnecessary signs. 

• Slum Redevelopment and Reasonable Housing Projects-

As a spearhead organisation, BDA Bhubaneswar has taken up the responsibility to redevelop slum areas and provide them with affordable housing based on the Public-Private Partnership model as per the arrangement of the state policy by leveraging land as a crucial resource to attain the aim of the state government on housing for all. Some projects pipelined under this project are mainly Nilamadhav Awas Yojana, Shanti Nagar Awas Yojna, Mahaveer Awas Yojna and Chandrasekharpur Affordable Housing Project. 

• Bhubaneswar Town Centre Project-

This project is anticipated as the city’s initial planned TOD or Transit Oriented Development initiative and Bhubaneswar’s foremost smart building project. This project will serve as the new Multimodal Hub of Bhubaneswar on the opportunities presented by the railway station’s expansion and maximising the site’s potential to bolster pedestrian and transit-oriented development that will finally help in clouging the private sector investment in improvising capacities of the area’s infrastructure. 

BDA Helpline Number

The citizens can simply reach out to Bhubaneswar Development Authority by contacting a toll-free number 1800 345 0061 or landline number 0674 2548295.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)