Gurucharan Mohapatra
Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) is currently under scrutiny as growing concerns surface over its regulatory practices, administrative accountability, and infrastructural shortcomings, particularly in the Abhinab Bidanasi area. Charged with guiding the planned expansion of Odisha’s second-largest city, the CDA faces criticism for its involvement in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) related to housing, casting doubt on its commitment to transparency and fair land distribution.
At the heart of the CDA’s mandate is the “one-plot-per-family” rule, aimed at preventing land hoarding. Applicants for residential plots are required to declare that neither they nor their immediate family owns other properties within the Cuttack Development Plan (CDP) area. While this regulation is strictly applied to individual applicants, discrepancies become evident in PPP housing projects, raising questions about the uniformity of rule enforcement.
Recent reports suggest a troubling pattern. The criteria for allotment eligibility are not consistently applied within PPP frameworks. Allegations have emerged regarding the acquisition of multiple housing units by families exploiting loopholes under different names. This selective enforcement undermines the CDA’s stated objective of equitable land access and raises concerns about accountability.
A critical issue contributing to the CDA’s challenges is its apparent lack of oversight regarding partnerships with private developers. As these private firms handle bookings for PPP housing, there are minimal public accountability measures in place. Allottee lists are often kept private, preventing scrutiny and independent verification of compliance with CDA regulations. Furthermore, the lack of a grievance redressal system leaves residents with limited options for addressing issues or discrepancies. As one former CDA official noted, “There is no means to verify whether buyers in PPP initiatives already possess property in the CDA project area.” This gap in accountability is alarming, as it appears to allow for unchecked practices that may favour certain groups.
The CDA’s hands-off approach to managing PPP housing developments has drawn criticism from housing rights advocates. Despite assertions that these projects do not involve government subsidies, stakeholders argue the authority has a moral obligation to uphold fairness in land distribution, ensuring structural safely and protecting the environment. The perception that some individuals can secure multiple housing units while others are excluded has contributed to a growing mistrust in the authority’s operations. And how far the CDA monitors the private players is no guess work at all. State of affairs of high rise buildings is the proof of it.
Moreover, the CDA has failed to protect vital public resources, resulting in diminishing transparency within housing initiatives. There have also been significant departures from the original master plan for Abhinab Bidanasi, contradicting legal guidelines and compounding existing issues.
In the quest for rapid expansion, the CDA has neglected critical components of its foundational master plan, which allocated green spaces and parks for public use. Many such designated areas have fallen victim to encroachment or been replaced with concrete structures, diminishing tree cover and exacerbating urban flooding.
Further complicating matters, recent infrastructure projects, including road-narrowing and beautification efforts initiated by the CDA and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation between 2024 and 2025, have compromised existing rain water drainage systems. Residents have experienced severe waterlogging during the monsoon season, with standing water reported at levels of up to 1.5 feet in different sectors.
The construction of elevated structures, such as indoor stadiums and community halls, has blocked natural drainage pathways, heightening the risk of flooding. These stagnant water conditions also pose public health hazards, creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests.
In light of these pressing challenges, experts and community advocates are urging the CDA to undertake immediate reforms. Recommendations include independent audits of PPP housing allotments, publishing allottee lists for increased transparency, consistently enforcing existing property regulations, integrating land ownership records with private developer databases, and establishing effective grievance mechanisms.
Cuttack’s urban future is contingent not only on its infrastructure but also on the integrity of the CDA. To maintain public trust, the authority must commit to equitable land management practices. Without prompt and decisive reform, Cuttack risks environmental degradation and increasing civic discontent.
Ultimately, for Cuttack to become a truly resilient city that meets its residents’ needs, sustainable and responsible urban development must take priority. The pressing question remains: Is the CDA committed to building a community for its citizens, or is it prioritizing profit over public welfare?
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