Bhubaneswar: Following demand from MLAs and various quarters, the State Government has initiated steps to form 20 new Notified Area Council (NAC) in the State.
After getting recommendations from the concerned district administrations, the Housing and Urban Development Department has sent the proposals to Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department for the creation of 20 new NACs in the State, said Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra.
After receiving the opinions of the Panchayati Raj Department, the H&UD Department will send a proposal for creation of the new NACs to the Chief Minister for final nod, he said.
The new NACs will be created after getting final approval from the Chief Minister, The Minister said.
He further informed that the new BJP government has set a target to enhance urbanization in the State to at least 30 percent from existing 17 percent in the five years.
“At present, Odisha has 17 per cent urban areas. The state government is making efforts to raise it to 30 per cent by creating new NACs, municipalities and municipal corporations in the State,” Shri Mohapatra said.
In February 2024, the previous BJD government had announced the creation of 34 new Notified Area Councils (NACs) and the upgrading of five NACs into municipalities. However, the announcement remained in pen and paper only.
The new BJP government has initiated a fresh process to create new urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State.
At present, the State has 114 ULBs, including five municipal corporation towns, 47 municipalities and 62 NACs in its 30 districts.