Bhubaneswar: For decades, the old quarters of Cuttack — Odisha’s iconic Silver City — have posed a planning dilemma. Its dense, organically evolved neighbourhoods, defined by narrow lanes, fragmented landholdings, and minimal parking space, rarely fit within the rigid framework of modern urban building rules. The result was predictable: redevelopment stalled, approvals slowed, and much of the historic core remained locked in a regulatory gridlock.
That long-standing mismatch may now be easing.
The Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) has notified the Planning & Building Standard Regulations for the Old Areas, 2026 through an official Gazette notification, introducing a dedicated planning framework tailored specifically to the city’s historic core.
A Framework Designed for the Old City
Unlike conventional urban regulations that assume wider roads and larger plots, the new rules acknowledge the realities of older settlements. The regulations apply to 43 wards of the old city, formally recognising that the historic heart of Cuttack cannot be governed by the same parameters as newer urban extensions.
Key provisions include:
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Relaxed road access norms: The minimum access road width for small residential plots has been reduced to 4.5 metres, allowing many previously non-compliant plots to qualify for development permissions.
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Rationalised setback requirements: Setback norms for non-high-rise structures have been adjusted to suit the compact built environment.
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Recalibrated Floor Area Ratio (FAR): Density limits have been aligned with the old city’s existing urban form, making redevelopment more viable.
Unlocking Stalled Redevelopment
The regulatory shift is expected to unlock long-stalled redevelopment opportunities across the historic neighbourhoods. Smaller or subdivided plots that once fell outside planning norms may now be redeveloped legally and more efficiently.
Urban planners argue that the new framework could deliver several practical outcomes:
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improved accessibility in densely packed localities,
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more organised parking solutions,
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reduced congestion through structured redevelopment, and
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faster building approval processes for property owners.
Balancing Heritage and Growth
The challenge for any historic city lies in modernising infrastructure without erasing the character that defines it. By creating a specialised regulatory framework instead of imposing standard urban codes, authorities appear to be attempting precisely that balance.
For the residents of the old quarters of Cuttack, the new rules may mark a rare convergence of heritage preservation and urban renewal — allowing the city’s historic heart to evolve without losing the identity that earned it the title of the Silver City of Odisha.
-OdishaAge
