Major upgrade for the holy city
Puri Becomes Odisha’s Sixth Municipal Corporation: Puri, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage cities, will now become a municipal corporation, making it the sixth in Odisha. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on July 5, 2025, just before the Bahuda Yatra.
The move reflects the government’s intent to improve infrastructure, streamline governance, and handle the increasing number of devotees and tourists visiting the city year-round.
Joining Odisha’s top urban centres
With this upgradation, Puri now joins the ranks of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Rourkela as a municipal corporation.
The new status will allow better management of services like sanitation, drinking water, road maintenance, and drainage systems. Several nearby gram panchayats from the Puri Sadar and Brahmagiri blocks will be merged into the corporation to widen its governance area.
Static GK fact: Bhubaneswar was the first city in Odisha to be declared a municipal corporation in 1994.
Need for administrative expansion
The decision to upgrade came after observing the strain on civic amenities during major religious events like the Rath Yatra. The current municipal structure was unable to manage the surge in crowd and services.
Lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad visit Puri each year. The government identified that a more empowered administrative system was needed to ensure safety, cleanliness, and efficient service delivery.
Launch of cultural institutions
The government is not stopping at infrastructure. Alongside the corporation announcement, CM Majhi revealed plans to build a Shree Jagannath Museum, a Library, and a Research Centre.
These institutions will preserve, document, and promote the traditions and stories of Lord Jagannath, a deity deeply revered in Odia culture. A 300-seat auditorium will also be set up for light and sound shows, educating visitors about Jagannath’s mythology.
Static GK Tip: The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.
Vision 2036 for a modern spiritual city
This municipal upgrade is part of Odisha’s broader plan to turn Puri into a world-class spiritual and tourism hub by 2036, the centenary year of Odisha’s formation as a separate state.
CM Majhi highlighted that the goal is to make Puri a clean, green, and smart city, offering both heritage value and urban comfort. This effort will also contribute to tourism-led economic growth in the state.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Puri Becomes Odisha’s Sixth Municipal Corporation:
| Topic | Detail |
| Announcement Date | July 5, 2025 |
| Declared By | CM Mohan Charan Majhi |
| New Status | Municipal Corporation |
| Rank Among Odisha Corporations | Sixth |
| Other Municipal Corporations | Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rourkela |
| Festival Linked to Announcement | Bahuda Yatra |
| Additional Projects | Jagannath Museum, Library, Research Centre |
| Vision Year for City Development | 2036 |
| Number of Panchayats Merged | 7–8 gram panchayats |
| Auditorium Capacity | 300 seats |
