Bhubaneswar, Aug 31: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a ₹560 crore special development package for 28 newly formed Notified Area Councils (NACs) across Odisha, with each NAC set to receive ₹20 crore for infrastructure and development works.
The announcement was made during the state-level Local Self-Government Day 2026 celebration held at the OUAT Krushi Shiksha Sadan in Bhubaneswar.
The special package is aimed at accelerating the development of the newly established urban areas and strengthening their basic civic infrastructure.
Under the package, funds will be utilized for the development of roads, drainage systems, markets and other essential infrastructure in the 28 NACs. The initiative is expected to improve urban amenities and create a stronger foundation for planned development in these newly formed urban centres.
The Chief Minister also launched 593 projects worth ₹323 crore across 62 urban local bodies under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (Chief Minister’s Urban Development Scheme).
Of these projects, 423 projects worth ₹102 crore were inaugurated, while the foundation stones were laid for 170 projects valued at ₹221 crore.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Majhi said Odisha's cities should not be viewed merely as places of residence but as centres of employment, entrepreneurship, education and prosperity.
He emphasized that urban areas need to be developed as economic hubs where young people can access new opportunities, entrepreneurs can expand their businesses and new employment opportunities can be created.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of making every city a strong engine of Odisha's economic growth. He called for greater use of technology in urban administration, simplification of procedures and time-bound delivery of public services.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the government has attached equal importance to the development of smaller NACs and municipal areas along with the state's larger urban centres.
