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Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha, known for its ancient temples, IT sector, and planned urban development. It is a major education, business, and cultural hub in eastern India.
Bhubaneswar is the capital city of the Indian state of Odisha. It is an important centre for administration, education, and commerce. The city is known for its rich history, ancient temples, and planned urban development. Bhubaneswar, along with Puri and Konark, forms the Golden Triangle of Odisha, which is significant for tourism. It is also referred to as the “Temple City” due to its many historic temples, including Lingaraj Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, and Rajarani Temple.
Bhubaneswar was designed by the German architect Otto Königsberger in 1946 and became the state capital in 1948, replacing Cuttack. It is one of the first planned cities in modern India. The city has experienced rapid growth in IT, education, and infrastructure, making it a major economic hub in eastern India. Institutions like Utkal University, IIT Bhubaneswar, and AIIMS Bhubaneswar are located here.
The city has a tropical climate, with hot summers, a monsoon season, and mild winters. Biju Patnaik International Airport and a well-connected railway system link it to other parts of India. Bhubaneswar hosts cultural festivals such as the Ekamra Utsav and Odisha Biennale. It is also home to several sports facilities, including the Kalinga Stadium.
As of February 2025, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) continues to manage the city's civic infrastructure across 67 wards. Each ward elects a corporator to the BMC for a five-year term. Standing committees oversee urban planning, maintenance of roads, government-aided schools, hospitals, and municipal markets. The corporation operates through the mayor-in-council, comprising a mayor, a deputy mayor, and other elected members.
The executive wing is led by a Commissioner. BMC's responsibilities include water supply, drainage and sewerage, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting, and building regulation. As of 2024, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party controls the BMC. Sulochana Das serves as the mayor, and Manjulata Kanhar is the deputy mayor. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is responsible for statutory planning, development, and building regulation in the region.
Bhubaneswar is a major economic hub in eastern India, with industries in information technology (IT), education, tourism, manufacturing, and trade. It is one of India's fastest-growing cities, attracting investment in multiple sectors.
The IT sector plays a key role in the city's economy. Companies like Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, and Tech Mahindra operate in the city’s IT parks, such as Infocity and Info Valley. The government promotes Bhubaneswar as an IT and startup hub through initiatives like Odisha Startup Policy.
The education sector is another major contributor, with institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and Utkal University generating employment and research opportunities.
Tourism supports the economy due to Bhubaneswar’s historic temples, heritage sites, and proximity to Puri and Konark. The hospitality industry, including hotels and travel services, benefits from religious and cultural tourism.
Manufacturing and trade, particularly in textiles, handicrafts, and steel production, contribute significantly. The Chandaka Industrial Estate and industrial zones host several manufacturing units.
Bhubaneswar is part of India's Smart City Mission, focusing on infrastructure and economic development. The city has an international airport, a strong transport network, and growing real estate investment, boosting overall economic growth.
Bhubaneswar was ranked as the best place to do business in India by the World Bank in 2014. Bhubaneswar has emerged as one of the fast-growing, important trading and commercial hubs in the state and eastern India. Since the last decade, Bhubaneswar has seen sprawling growth of start-ups. Mindfire Solutions has emerged as a leading start-up.
Mindfire Solutions is an offshore software development company providing customized services and solutions. Another firm, Tatwa Technologies was founded by Mr. A.K Mohanty and Tapendra Senapati in 2002 as an IT services company, now Tatwa Technologies has ventured into Business Technology Services, Mobility & m-commerce solutions. Other examples include HelloDoctor24x7 Pvt. Ltd, SakRobotix, Medioctor, AMOKart, thoomri.com etc. One of the critical factors that make Bhubaneswar a start-up hub is the presence of world-class educational institutes like IIT, NISER, CET, IIIT, CIPET etc that provide global exposure.
The emergence of IT giants like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and Mindtree in Bhubaneswar also acts as a catalyst for the fast-growing start-up culture in the city. The youth of the city is talented, enthusiastic, and innovative.
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, has seen significant infrastructure development in recent years, focusing on transportation, urban planning, and public utilities.
Transportation:
The city is enhancing its road network to reduce traffic congestion. Projects include constructing ring roads between Jatni-Bhubaneswar and Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, and new roads from Jayadev Vihar to Nandankanan. Flyovers are planned at key junctions like Kalpana Square to improve traffic flow.
Public transport has improved with the 'Mo Bus' service, offering modern buses equipped with Wi-Fi and real-time tracking. The service covers Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, aiming to provide efficient urban mobility.
Plans for the Bhubaneswar Metro project are underway, with Phase 1 connecting Trisulia in Cuttack to Biju Patnaik International Airport, spanning approximately 26 kilometres and including 20 stations.
Urban Planning:
The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) oversees urban development, covering 556 revenue villages over about 1,110 square kilometres. A recent survey assessed infrastructure gaps in sewerage, drainage, solid waste management, and parking facilities to enhance city livability.
The city is part of India's Smart City Mission, implementing projects like the 'Smart Bus and Traffic Infrastructure' to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion.
Public Utilities:
Electricity distribution transitioned to TATA Power in 2020, aiming for a reliable power supply. Drinking water is sourced from the Mahanadi, Kuakhai, and Daya rivers, managed by the Public Health Engineering Organisation. Efforts are ongoing to expand piped water coverage and improve sewerage systems.
India’s Ministry of Urban Development put forth a Smart City Challenge to develop a conceptual plan for improving a city and its residents’ lives with smart solutions. One hundred cities across India were chosen to compete and provide an area-based proposal with a unique vision, mission, and plan.
IBI Group supported the development of a Smart City Challenge proposal for the city of Bhubaneswar, leveraging its global experience in the fields of transportation, planning, design, technology, and intelligence. Working with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), State of Odisha, India, IBI Group prepared its Smart City Plan, which was adjudged the first rank out of 98 cities in the country. The award-winning 2015 Smart City Strategy for Bhubaneswar established a Program Management Unit with over 30 staff in the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to produce the nerve center of Bhubaneswar’s pan-city technology plan.
The proposal emphasised the comprehensive development of the city, taking into consideration mobility, active transportation, energy, water, waste disposal, and integrated infrastructure. The effort required extensive consultation with local residents to better understand the needs of the city, with initiatives such as conferences, solution contests, and collaboration labs to engage and empower the public. An implementation strategy was prepared that identified key projects, addressed organisational and financial structuring, and determined institutional arrangements for raising capital.
Bhubaneswar City tour provides an authentic experience of the vibrant culture of the city. The tour includes magnificent temples of Lingaraj, Mukteshwar & Rajarani, Dhauli where in 260 BC Emperor Ashoka gave up War and became Buddhist and exquisite carvings at Buddhist caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri.
Overnight Agra Trip is a wonderful tour package to explore spectacular places like New Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight Agra Tour The most attractive aspect of this tour is that it takes you to Taj Mahal, the architectural wonder of the world. The tour continues with a visit to the Agra Fort from where one can get the most amazing view of the Taj Mahal from the little octagonal tower in the Agra Fort that lies across the River Jamuna.
Experience the magnificence of Konark and the tranquil beauty of Chilika Lake on our private day tour from Bhubaneswar. Begin your journey with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Sun Temple, where you'll marvel at its intricate stone carvings and learn about its rich history. Explore the Konark Museum to delve deeper into the region's cultural heritage. After savoring a traditional Odia lunch, proceed to Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lake. Embark on a boat ride to explore its islands and witness the graceful Irrawaddy dolphins. Visit the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary to spot migratory birds before ending the day with a mesmerizing sunset view over the serene waters of Chilika Lake. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Odisha's cultural and natural treasures, creating unforgettable memories to cherish.
This overnight tour from Delhi lets you capture the timeless charm of the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset—two of the most magical times to admire this monument of love. You’ll also visit the Agra Fort, the elegant Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj), and the serene Mehtab Bagh gardens. With private transport, skip-the-line entry, and a knowledgeable local guide, your journey is smooth, comfortable, and enriching. Why Book With Us? With Oberoi Tours, you’re not just booking a trip—you’re choosing a curated experience with personal care, flexible schedules, and reliable service. Capture the timeless charm of the Taj Mahal at sunrise & sunset Private car with driver for comfort and convenience Flexible pick-up and drop-off timings Licensed local guides with insider knowledge Hassle-free skip-the-line entry tickets Personalized service with 24/7 support
It is a heritage walk combines mythology, history and cultural stories to weave a narrative around the temples of Bhubaneswar and how romance has been depicted through the sculptures in various places. Unlike other walks which focus on just the archaeology or architecture and give surface level information, our trails take a more story led approach. The research behind the stories are done by archaeologists and anthropologists and the stories have been carefully curated.
When the Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang travelled through India in the 7th century he recorded three Buddhist universities in the Odisha hills — Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitagiri — functioning from the 1st century CE, contemporary to Nalanda and Taxila. Within the stupas at Lalitagiri, archaeologists found what are believed to be bone relics of the Buddha, making this one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in India. Yet compared to Nalanda the Diamond Triangle of Odisha is almost completely unknown, its hilltop monasteries standing in remarkable solitude. This private tour covers all three sites with an expert guide who brings the full story of Buddhist civilisation in Odisha to life. Private car from Bhubaneswar, expert guide, all entry fees and local lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
The captivating and magical land of Orissa is home to many beautiful destinations catering tourists from all over the world. Discover the ancient architectural wonders of the Sun Temple in Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this private guided day tour from Bhubaneswar. Witness the intricate carvings and stunning sculptures of the temple while learning about its rich history from your knowledgeable guide. Then, head to the magnificent sea beach and the world famous Jaganath temple at Puri. Experience the natural beauty and cultural significance of Odisha on this unforgettable day trip.
