Real Estate Developers Urge Reforms in Odisha's Land Conversion Framework
Leading real estate developers in Odisha have called upon the state government to reform its land conversion framework, citing project delays, escalating costs, and slowing down urban development.
Decades-Old System in Need of Modernisation
The current system, which involves multiple authorities and lengthy scrutiny, is hampering urban development at a time when other major states are modernising their processes.
- Recent policy shifts in Maharashtra and Karnataka have eliminated the need for separate non-agricultural (NA) conversion approvals.
- In Karnataka's greater Bengaluru area, land conversion is now treated as automatic during building plan approval.
- Maharashtra has scrapped NA permission altogether.
"The situation in Odisha is completely different," said Pradipta Kumar Biswasroy, chairman of Odisha Developers' Federation (ODFED). "We continue to navigate a permission-laden system involving multiple authorities, lengthy scrutiny and inconsistent interpretations of land records."
Challenges Faced by Developers- Projects must secure clearances from bodies like the Bhubaneswar Development Authority.
- Separate NA conversion orders must be obtained from the revenue department.
- Mandatory on-site verification is required for environmental compliance.
- Projects in districts like Khurda and Puri face additional hurdles due to terrain and record-related complexities.
Developers argue that outdated or unclear land records and frequent changes in regulations add further uncertainty.
Need for Reforms"Once land use is determined under the master plan by the development authority, another round of clearances from tehsildars and district offices only creates redundant layers," said Umesh Pattnaik, general secretary of ODFED.
Industry bodies believe adopting reforms similar to Maharashtra and Karnataka could position Odisha as an investor-friendly market at a time when its cities are expanding rapidly.
- A more streamlined system would lead to faster project completion.
- Greater transparency and a more predictable regulatory environment would be achieved.