Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban Complex comprises two major urban centers namely Cuttack, the erstwhile state capital and Bhubaneswar, the present state capital. The former is a traditional Indian town organically developed over time, while the latter was conceived as a modern new town based on neighborhood planning concept by the internationally acclaimed urban planner, Otto. H. Koenigsbarger. In and around Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, few Class II and Class III towns have flourished having strategic importance in the functioning of the Bhubaneswar – Cuttack Urban Complex, namely Khurda, Jatani and Choudwar. The total planning area stretches over an area of 720 sq. km. with a total population of 1.58 million (Census, 2001)
Cuttack, with an area of 195 sq.km and population of 0.64 million, had been the nerve center for trade and commerce for the state. The port of Paradeep, located 70 kms away from the city of Cuttack provides an excellent opportunity as industrial destination based on port transshipment functions. It has been noticed that during the last decade the growth of Cuttack city is slow due to its spatial restrictions on its future growth directions as well as its unplanned city structure.
The Bhubaneswar region, conceived after independence, has experienced tremendous growth. Administrative and institutional activities have contributed to the increase in the volume of trade and commerce activity.
Bhubaneswar, well connected with the city of Cuttack (30 kms) through rail and road linkages (NH-5 and Howrah-Chennai Rail route), has tremendous potential to act as a complimentary growth center to Kolkata in the Eastern Region for trade and commerce. Moreover, the ancient temples and religious monuments dating from 3rd century B.C. to 15th century A.D. as well as the proximity to the historical cities of Puri and Konark offers tremendous opportunity to develop Bhubaneswar – Cuttack Urban Complex as a strategic node for tourist destinations. The emergence of new academic and other institutional activities, corporate functions will further add to this growth momentum. In 2001, the population of Bhubaneswar was 0.74 million, housing nearly 11 percent of the urban population in the State. The city having an area of 332 sq.km, is bounded by River Daya and River Kuakhai in the south and west respectively. Nandan Kanan, a famous wild life sanctuary is located in the north of the city, whereas reserve forests lie on the west.
The present and future of Bhubaneswar – Cuttack Urban Complex is intertwined with the level of overall development of the state. A brief look into the demographic and socio-economic profile of the state indicates that this state is one of the least urbanized among the major states of India (14.7 % of the state population resides in urban areas). 70 percent of the state population is engaged in agrarian activities. However, the state has the third lowest population growth rate among all the states. The literacy rate is marginally lower than the national mark.
Development of Bhubaneswar – Cuttack Urban Complex, if efficiently and equitably managed, will trigger collateral development of its adjoining hinterland, which in turn would help raise the level of overall welfare in this part of the region.
The anticipated growth in the coming years with their physical manifestation and growing urban population are likely to exert tremendous pressure on the existing resources, necessitating planned interventions in the region.
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