In a major push to strengthen urban-driven growth, the Odisha government on Friday announced plans to develop four key cities, Puri, Paradip, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, into a unified ‘Common Economic Zone’ by 2027. The initiative is expected to significantly boost the state’s economy, with nearly 33 percent of Odisha’s economic output projected to come from these four urban centres.Collective Backbone-Chief Secretary Anu Garg shared details of the plan, stating that each city’s core strengths will be integrated into the larger economic framework. Paradip’s industrial ecosystem and coastline, Puri’s spiritual tourism and beach economy, Bhubaneswar’s educational institutions and knowledge hubs, and Cuttack’s traditional handicrafts and heritage industries will collectively form the backbone of the proposed zone. “We are planning to convert Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri & Paradip into a common economic region, and we are confident that at least 33% of the state economy will come from this. Our effort is to develop Paradip’s industries, Puri’s spiritualism, beaches and tourism, Cuttack’s legacy, old city, and Bhubaneswar into an education cit,y and Paradip plays a huge role in it. This will not be just a blue flag beach, but the whole stretch will be developed,” informed Anu Garg. New Employment OpportunitiesDuring her visit to Paradip, Garg reviewed progress related to securing Blue Flag certification for Paradip Sea Beach. She announced that the 7-kilometre-long coastline of Paradip will undergo phased development, with a portion proposed for inclusion under the internationally recognised Blue Flag category.The government has set a target to complete the first phase of the development works by September. Officials believe that the Common Economic Zone initiative will create new employment opportunities, strengthen infrastructure, and position Odisha as a major economic and tourism hub in eastern India.
Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri & Paradip to become common economic zone by 2027
