Bhubaneswar, October 5: The demand to declare Bhubaneswar a separate revenue district has gained further momentum with Jatani MLA Bibhuti Bhushan Balabantray extending his support to the proposal initiated by the Bhubaneswar Bar Association. He has also called for Jatani to be accorded sub-division status in view of its rapid population growth and expanding urban character.

Balabantray on Monday met Bhubaneswar Bar Association president Ashok Chhotaray, secretary Suman Routaray, vice-president Sushant Dash and other office-bearers of the association and formally conveyed his support for the demand.

Welcoming the proposal, the Jatani MLA Balabantray said the creation of a separate revenue district for Bhubaneswar would be in the larger public interest.

“The proposal for a separate revenue district for Bhubaneswar is in the larger interest of the people. The Bhubaneswar Bar Association has taken the lead in raising this issue and has been organising multi-party and public conventions to build wider support for the demand,” Balabantray said.

He said separating Bhubaneswar from Khordha district could bring administrative and judicial services closer to residents and reduce the need for people to travel across jurisdictions for government and legal services.

Balabantray also highlighted the rapid growth of Jatani, describing it as an emerging southern extension of Bhubaneswar. He said the increasing population and urban expansion of the area warranted its elevation to sub-division status to facilitate better administration and delivery of public services.

The proposal envisages the creation of a separate district comprising Bhubaneswar Block, Jatani, Balianta and Balipatna, while retaining the distinct geographical and administrative identity of the remaining areas of Khordha district.

The demand has also received support from leaders belonging to different political parties. BJD leader Ashok Panda and senior Congress leader Suresh Routray have backed the proposal, citing Bhubaneswar's growing population, urbanisation and economic importance.

The demand for a separate Bhubaneswar district comes amid rapid urban expansion in the state capital and its adjoining areas. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is in the process of finalising its GIS-based Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) Vision 2040, reflecting the city's expanding spatial and demographic footprint.

Supporters of the separate district proposal have argued that administering the rapidly urbanising areas around Bhubaneswar under the existing administrative framework has become increasingly challenging. They maintain that a separate revenue district could facilitate more efficient delivery of administrative and public services.