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**Puri Upgraded to Municipal Corporation Following Rath Yatra Tragedy**

**Bhubaneswar, Odisha – July 5, 2025** – In response to a recent tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra festival that claimed three lives, the Odisha government has announced the upgrade of Puri Municipality to a Municipal Corporation. The decision, announced by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aims to address the growing population and increasing influx of devotees to the holy town.

The new corporation will encompass Puri town and incorporate seven to eight panchayats from the neighboring Brahmagiri block. This expansion will allow residents of these areas to access urban-level services. The process of upgrading the municipality will begin on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Puri into a leading religious and tourist destination by 2036, stating the importance of investment in both new and existing infrastructure. The government also announced plans for a world-class Shree Jagannath Museum, Library, and Research Centre to preserve the region’s historical, cultural, and religious heritage.

The move comes as the BJP government looks to improve infrastructure and services in Puri, particularly in light of the recent Rath Yatra tragedy.

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