Mohan Majhi govt. to upgrade Puri into municipal corporation

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Odisha on Friday (July 4, 2025) announced that Puri Municipality will be upgraded to a municipal corporation by merging several adjoining villages with the holy town.

The announcement comes in the wake of a tragic stampede near the chariots during the ongoing Rath Yatra festival, which claimed three lives.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said the decision was taken keeping in mind the town’s growing population and the increasing influx of devotees over the years. “The government has decided to upgrade Puri to a municipal corporation. The new corporation will include Puri town and seven to eight panchayats from the adjoining Brahmagiri block. Residents of these areas will be able to access urban-level services,” he said. The process for upgrading the municipality to corporation will begin from Saturday (July 5, 2025).

Mr. Majhi reiterated the government’s commitment to transform Puri into a leading religious and tourist destination by 2036. “To achieve this vision, we must invest in both new infrastructure and the upkeep of existing facilities. A prosperous Odisha is not possible without making Puri a prosperous, beautiful, green, and well-developed city,” he added.

In addition, the state government has announced plans to establish a world-class Shree Jagannath Museum, Library, and Research Centre. The institution will focus on preserving the historical, cultural, and religious heritage surrounding the Shree Jagannath Temple and its associated rituals.