Bhubaneswar New City (Gothapatna-Malipada-Daspur Township): Overview

What It Is

Bhubaneswar New City is a proposed greenfield township that the Odisha government cleared as the 'New City Development' scheme. The Odisha Cabinet approved the New City Development scheme, aimed at creating a modern and inclusive urban hub within the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA), covering nearly 800 acres of land across Gothapatna, Malipada, and Daspur. It is envisioned as a multi-economic growth zone aligned with the state's long-term development roadmap, "Vikshit Odisha 2036." The project is separate from — but complementary to — the existing Bhubaneswar Smart City programme in the older municipal area.

Who Is Building It

The BDA has been designated as the nodal agency for implementation, with the master plan expected to serve as a framework for phased development. A significant milestone was reached on January 17, 2025, when BDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (SJI), Singapore, in the presence of the President of Singapore and the Chief Minister of Odisha, under which SJI provides consultancy for the master plan and advisory support for urban infrastructure development. The master plan is being prepared by Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Private Ltd, Singapore, while a market feasibility study for the project has already been conducted with the assistance of global consultancy firm JLL.

Official Area, Villages and District

According to BDA sources, the project spans nearly 800 acres across the mouzas of Gothapatna, Malipada, and Daspur. These mouzas sit within the wider Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA) administered by BDA in Khordha district. Some official and media accounts also mention adjoining Daspur, Gothapatna, Mallipada, and Andharua on the outskirts of the capital city as part of the broader project footprint, so the exact village boundary may firm up once the master plan and land-acquisition notification are finalised. An earlier internal BDA estimate (before the 2025 Cabinet clearance) had put the plot at 821.964 acres, close to the roughly 800 acres now cited officially.

Why It Exists

The scheme responds to Bhubaneswar's rapid population growth and the strain of unplanned sprawl on its outskirts. The township is set to be developed within the BDPA and is anticipated to accommodate the projected population of over 2 million by the year 2036. Once completed, the Bhubaneswar New City is expected to guide the structured expansion of the state capital, control unplanned urban growth, and strengthen infrastructure. The proposed New City will be developed as a transit-oriented urban hub, emphasizing efficient public transport systems, reduced travel time, and seamless integration of mixed land use. A key focus will be on ensuring "Housing for All" through diverse and affordable housing options catering to all income groups.

Current Status (as of July 2026)

This is a pre-construction, planning-stage project — no plots have been allotted and no construction has begun. Key milestones so far:

• 17 January 2025: BDA signed an MoU with Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (SJI), Singapore, in the presence of the President of Singapore and the Chief Minister of Odisha.
• September 2025: The Odisha State Cabinet granted in-principle approval to the "New City Development" scheme.
• An initial allocation of Rs 1,342 crore has been earmarked in the state budget for 2025–26 to 2029–30 to cover land acquisition, road construction, core infrastructure, public amenities, and contingencies.
• The draft scope of services for preparation of the New City Master Plan was finalised, covering development of the New City over approximately 800 acres across Mouza Gothapatna, Malipada and Daspur.
• A stakeholder consultation and kick-off meeting for the master plan was held under the chairmanship of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, with the plan being prepared by Surbana Jurong alongside a market feasibility study by JLL.
• The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the New City is expected to be completed within nine months of that meeting, paving the way for the next phase of the project.

Ground-level infrastructure work has not started; BDA officials have emphasized that core infrastructure such as drainage, sewage, and water supply systems will be prioritized before land allotments begin.

Headline Connectivity

The site lies on the already-urbanising western edge of Bhubaneswar, close to institutional and hospital clusters. Gothapatna is only 12 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport via Gothapatna Road, and Bhubaneswar Railway Station is about 14 km away, reachable via Bhagyashri Road. The area sits a short distance from NH4 (around 7 km away), placing it within easy reach of the city's national-highway network. No dedicated metro, expressway or ring-road link built specifically for the New City has been confirmed as of this writing; connectivity upgrades are expected to be defined once the Surbana Jurong master plan and DPR are finalised.

What Happens Next

Surbana Jurong will undertake projectisation of the New City Master Plan, identifying priority projects across short, medium and long-term horizons, provide technical handholding for preparation of Detailed Project Reports, and prepare a comprehensive Urban Design Framework and Guidelines outlining the overall spatial and development structure of the city. Further stakeholder consultations will engage local representatives and industry sectors including hospitality, real estate, and transport. Once the DPR and master plan are approved, the sequence expected is: finalising land acquisition, building core trunk infrastructure (roads, drainage, water, sewage), and only then releasing land for residential, commercial and institutional development. Investors and residents should treat any current plot-sale or booking offers referencing this "New City" name with caution until BDA issues formal land-allotment or RERA-registered project notifications.