Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet, in its 26th meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Wednesday, approved five major proposals across various departments. The decisions, aimed at reshaping urban planning, road safety enforcement, public recruitment, emergency healthcare, and rural administration, mark a strategic push toward the state’s long-term vision of ‘Vikshit Odisha 2036’.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja briefed the media following the meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, confirming that all proposals from the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Family Welfare, Commerce and Transport, General Administration, and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water were approved unanimously.
The Cabinet granted in-principle approval to the ‘New City Development’ project within the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA). The city will span approximately 800 acres across the Gothapatna, Malipada and Daspur mouzas. Designed as a transit-oriented development, the project emphasises reduced travel distances, integrated public transportation, and mixed land use planning. It also aims to ensure inclusive housing across income levels.
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The city will feature convention and exhibition centres, innovation-based plug-and-play hubs, data centres, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure. Public open spaces, forest parks, and civic plazas are also planned. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) will serve as the nodal agency, with planning support from Singapore-based Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., following a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2025.
The total investment is projected at Rs 8,179 crore over 15 years, with an initial allocation of Rs 1,342 crore over the first five years. To clear a growing backlog of pending traffic fines, the Cabinet approved a one-time settlement scheme for all e-Challans issued before July 31, 2025. The scheme, valid for six months from its notification date, will allow vehicle owners to pay reduced fines.
A committee led by the Law Department’s Principal Secretary will review cases already pending in courts. Authorities warned that non-payment after the scheme’s deadline may lead to restrictions on vehicle-related services and stricter enforcement.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the Odisha Payment of Recruitment Examination Fees and Refund Rules, 2025, to discourage absenteeism in recruitment exams. Examination fees will now be charged to general category candidates, while SC, ST and persons with disabilities will remain exempt. Candidates who appear for the exams will be eligible for a full refund, a move intended to reduce frivolous applications and ensure efficient use of public funds.
The Cabinet also approved the procurement of 428 ambulances under the Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS-108) initiative, with a total financial outlay of Rs 118.98 crore. To streamline rural development administration, the Cabinet amended the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Accounting Procedure Rules, 2002. Block Development Officers (BDOs) can now clear bills up to Rs 10 lakh without the Chairman’s countersignature.
