Bhubaneswar, Sep 7: Odisha is looking to create a stronger economic network across its key urban and industrial centres through the Bhubaneswar-Kataka-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BKPPER), which is expected to generate investment, jobs and new business opportunities.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg has stressed the need for close coordination between government departments to ensure that the project is implemented effectively. The focus is on bringing different development efforts together so that the region can make better use of its existing economic strengths.
BKPPER covers Khordha, Kataka, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts and includes 19 urban areas. The proposed economic region aims to improve connections between these locations and create an integrated environment for businesses, industries and communities.
Each part of the region brings a different strength to the larger economic plan. Bhubaneswar is emerging as a centre for IT and technology, Puri has a strong tourism and cultural economy, while Paradip is important for ports, industries and logistics. Linking these sectors more closely could create wider economic opportunities across the region.
Better infrastructure will be central to the plan. The proposed development includes improved public and multimodal transport, affordable housing, better urban mobility, pedestrian-friendly spaces, climate-resilient infrastructure and urban redevelopment.
The government has identified 269 projects across 19 sectors as part of the initiative. Departments are reviewing their progress and working on project mapping through the PM Gati Shakti platform to improve coordination and implementation.
The project could have a major impact on employment and investment in Odisha. Officials estimate that BKPPER could create more than 40 lakh non-farm jobs and attract corporate investment of over $400 billion. Such investment could benefit manufacturing, technology, tourism, logistics, construction, retail and services.
For people living in the region, the benefits could extend beyond employment. Better transport, housing and urban facilities could make cities more connected and improve access to jobs and services. Small businesses and local suppliers could also gain from increased economic activity.
The integrated development of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Paradip could further strengthen Odisha’s position as an investment destination. Better links between technology centres, tourism hubs, industrial areas and the port economy could make it easier for companies to move goods, access markets and find skilled workers.
The recently approved Capital Economic Region Development Authority is expected to provide an institutional framework for coordinating regional planning, project implementation, financing and investment promotion.
With effective execution, BKPPER could become an important pillar of Odisha’s long-term economic development. By bringing infrastructure, industry, tourism, technology and urban development together, the project could help create a more connected and competitive regional economy and support the state’s development vision for 2036 and 2047.
