The Odisha government on Sunday announced the upgradation of seven towns into municipalities and the formation of 16 new Notified Area Councils (NACs), significantly expanding the scope of structured civic governance across the state.
The seven towns declared as municipalities are Karanjia (Mayurbhanj), Boudh (Boudh), Bhanjanagar, Aska, Chhatrapur, Kabisuryanagar and Polasara (all in Ganjam). These places were previously functioning as NACs but have now been upgraded to municipalities.
The newly formed NACs include Loisingha (Bolangir), Sohela (Bargarh), Narsinghpur, Salepur and Badamba (Cuttack), Jagannathprasad and Patrapur (Ganjam), Gandia (Dhenkanal), Chandikhol (Jajpur), Narla and Jayapatna (Kalahandi), Tangi (Khordha), Borigumma (Koraput), and Kaptipada, Rasgobindpur and Jashipur (Mayurbhanj).
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the move is aimed at strengthening civic administration and planned urban expansion in these areas. With the fresh additions, the number of NACs in the state has now risen to 28.
“This decision will ensure better infrastructure, planned development, and improved civic services in growing urban areas,” the CM added.
