Bhubaneswar: Even as the state capital Bhubaneswar celebrates its 77th Foundation Day on Sunday, a few would be aware that the British had considered Khurda Road over Cuttack as a possible capital of the state, way back in 1935.
Cuttack became the capital though and was replaced by the modern city of Bhubaneswar on April 13, 1948.
Satyaki Nath, a senior Eastern Railway officer, and an archiver in his own right, has posted a copy of The Statesman, dated November 1, 1935, on Facebook, where this fact has been mentioned.
“The problem of finding a suitable site for the capital of the new Orissa province is engaging the attention of the Government. The Tulsipur area, on the bank of the Mahanadi river, which was recommended by the Orissa Administrative Committee of 1933 for the provisional capital, has, it is understood, been found unsuitable by the Chief Architect to the Government of India, who visited the place last month, owing to the flood menace, even if the ground was elevated at considerable cost. It is reliably understood that the Government is now considering the Khurda Road site for the capital,” the report stated.
It goes on to explain the benefits of Khurda Road over other locations.
Khurda Road, which is a railway junction, has some advantages over Cuttack. It is stated that there is no need for the spending of large sums of money on land acquisition as the entire area is ‘khas mahal’ land. In the case of Cuttack it would cost about Rs 9 lakh for land acquisition and land elevation. “Khurda Road, situated at a height, is immune from floods and is centrally situated. The cost of construction of buildings is also cheaper, and the area has scope for expansion. There is also a good water supply at Khurda Road,” it explained.
Khurda Road’s advantages over Berhampur were also mentioned.
“Berhampore, which has many advantages, has been left out of consideration as it is in a corner of the province. A circuit house will be constructed at Gopalpur. It is almost certain that the new province will begin to function from April next. The Governor’s House at Puri is being extended and a sum of Rs 60,000 has been sanctioned for the purpose,” the report added.
