The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, hosted a pivotal Stakeholder Consultation Meeting today at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan, to shape the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER) Growth-Hub Economic Plan.
Chaired by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, the session brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, academics, and representatives from civil society to chart a sustainable and inclusive development roadmap for the region.
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In her inaugural address, Principal Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, Usha Padhee, emphasised balancing economic progress with Odisha’s cultural heritage, aligning the BCPPER initiative with the Prime Minister’s vision for a Viksit Bharat. “Our development must reflect Odia Asmita while embracing sustainable growth,” she said.
Anna Roy, Principal Economic Advisor at NITI Aayog, presented a comprehensive Growth-Hub strategy, positioning BCPPER as a cornerstone for Odisha’s ambition to become a USD 1.5-trillion economy by 2047, with the region targeting a USD 500-billion economy by 2036. The plan focuses on leveraging the unique identities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Paradip to drive urban and economic expansion.
Anu Garg highlighted the distinct character of each city, stressing the need to preserve their uniqueness while fostering rapid growth. The consultation saw robust participation from key officials, including Principal Secretary of Works, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of Public Enterprises, NBS Rajput, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Handloom & Textiles, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, alongside industry and academic representatives.
Stakeholders provided valuable recommendations during an open forum facilitated by Smt. Garg, advocating for climate-resilient infrastructure, enhanced waste management, thematic tourism circuits, affordable housing, and investment in research and innovation. These inputs will refine the BCPPER roadmap, which already outlines 65 priority projects and 37 policy reforms to catalyse growth.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Satrughna Kar, Additional Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, who reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to translating these insights into actionable projects. The BCPPER initiative is set to position the region as a dynamic economic hub, contributing significantly to the visions of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047.
