Odisha CM unveils economic roadmap to develop BCPPER as growth engine

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday unveiled a comprehensive economic development plan for the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep Economic Region (BCPPER), aimed at transforming the region into a major growth engine for the state and a significant contributor to India’s economy.

Prepared by NITI Aayog, the plan envisions BCPPER as a new growth pole on India’s economic horizon, leveraging the distinct strengths of its constituent cities—Bhubaneswar as a technology hub, Cuttack as a centre of commerce and business traditions, Puri as a hub of cultural heritage and tourism, and Paradeep as a port-led industrial zone.

Launching the roadmap, Majhi said the strategy focuses on seamless regional connectivity through modern infrastructure while promoting diversified development across sectors. More than 80 projects have been proposed in areas such as metal downstream industries, biotechnology, textiles, chemicals, tourism, education and information technology. In addition, over 30 policy initiatives will be implemented to position BCPPER as a “laboratory of development and prosperity.”

The Chief Minister noted that the Union Budget 2026-27 has proposed the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs), with BCPPER included among them. The Centre has earmarked ₹5,000 crore for each CER. Currently accounting for 19 per cent of Odisha’s economy, the BCPPER region has an economic size of USD 22.4 billion in 2025, with an ambitious target of scaling up to USD 500 billion by 2047.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the support of the Central government and NITI Aayog, the state’s double-engine government is committed to accelerating the region’s transformation, Majhi said.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mahapatra said the plan would play a decisive role in shaping Odisha’s future and significantly boosting economic growth. He added that similar economic region plans would be prepared for major cities in other districts, pointing to the creation of 28 new Notified Area Councils, seven municipalities and one municipal corporation as evidence of the government’s thrust on urban development.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam lauded the state’s initiative, observing that 70–80 per cent of India’s GDP is generated in urban areas. He said the national goal is to bring more than half of the country’s population under urbanisation by 2047. After Mumbai, Surat, Visakhapatnam and Varanasi, BCPPER is the fifth such economic region planned by NITI Aayog.

NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba described BCPPER as a key pillar in building a developed Odisha, noting that although plans exist for 20 major cities nationwide, BCPPER has been ranked among the top five. He urged the state government to implement the roadmap expeditiously to improve living standards in the region.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg welcomed the participants and outlined the state government’s long-term vision for the BCPPER region.