In 20 years (i.e., in 2030) the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda population would be around 4 million plus. In addition the area would be surrounded by the following cities/towns within 150 kms radius (i.e., about a hour and half away).

  • Berhampur-Gopalpur to the south (with a then population of 1.5 million; about 145 kms away)
  • Puri to the south (with a then population of 700K; only 30kms away)
  • Kalinganagar to the North (with a then population of 500K; only 50 kms away)
  • Talcher-Angul to the West (with a then population of 500K; only 110 kms away)
  • Dhenkanal to the west (with a then population of 200K and almost in the periphery)
  • Paradip to the east (with a then population of 400K and 90 kms away)
  • Dhamara-Chandbali to the Northeast (with a then population of 200K and 140 kms away)
  • Bhadrak to the North (with a then population of 200K and 140 kms away)

A little farther is

  • Balasore-Chandipur to the North (with a then population of 300K and 162 kms away from the Northern end of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda area)

In addition there will be several port towns other than the ones mentioned above and a few smaller towns (For example, Nayagarh)  within 200km radius of greater Bhubaneswar.

Besides individual CDPs for these areas the Odisha governement should start making plans for this larger overall area. It would form a different kind of megalopolis than New Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata with a well planned hub (Bhubaneswar) surrounded by mini-hubs and with rural areas in between. I can not off-hand think of another such area in the world; may be the readers can point me to some. Please suggest what kind of plans need to be made. (Please note that for something to be up and running in 20 years, plans need to be made now.) For example:

  • Commuter trains at frequent intervals and the necessary infrastructure for that. Following are some of the segments
    • Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark-Astaranga (Puri-Konark-Astaranga needs to be built; alternatively if Astaranga port comes up, then there may be a new line from Barang to Astaranga)
    • Bhubaneswar-Berhampur-Gopalpur (Berhampur-Gopalpur needs to be built)
    • Bhubaneswar-Jajpur Rd(Kalinganagar)-Bhadrak-Dhamara (Bhadrak-Dhamara is ready but no trains yet)
    • Bhubaneswar-Jajpur Rd(Kalinganagar)-Bhadrak-Balasore-Baripada
    • Bhubaneswar-Jakhapura(Kalinganagar)-Tomka (on the line to Kendujhargarh)
    • Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Paradeep (ready)
    • Bhubaneswar-Dhenkanal-Talcher-Angul (ready)
    • Bhubaneswar-Khurda-Nayagarh and beyond (being constructed; part of Khurda-Balangir)
    • Angul-Talcher-Sukinda-Kalinganagar (being constructed)
  • Expressways linking these places
  • Fast buses linking these places
  • Fast airport shuttle
  • Some of these places would be connected by waterways including National Waterway 5
  • Express ring road around each of these places
  • Co-ordinated public transport in each of these places
  • ??

Please let your imagination run wild!