Bhubaneswar, Nov. 2 -- Efforts to expand the administrative boundaries of Bhubaneswar have gained momentum, with 71 peripheral villages likely to be brought under the jurisdiction of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

According to The Times of India, a proposal in this regard is currently awaiting state government approval and follows formal requests from the villagers, who have expressed their willingness to join the civic fold to access urban infrastructure and civic amenities currently unavailable in their panchayat areas.

The reports added that Block Development Officers (BDOs) from Bhubaneswar, Balianta, and Jatni blocks have submitted resolutions passed by the respective gram sabhas to the corporation. The BMC is expecte...