Murals, Designer Shrubbery: Massive Plan To Enhance City’s Visual Appeal Ahead Of Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup

Bhubaneswar: The city walls will come alive during FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in January next year, with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) planning to relaunch the Street Art and Mural project (STAMP).

To create an environment of sports, sculptures depicting team spirit will be put up while creeper plantation will be taken up and art and stamp work added to further beautify them. Artists of national and international repute through Central Lalit Kala Akademi and Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi will be roped in for the artwork, which would include wall paintings, sculptures and murals at selected public places, sources said.

This will be part of the massive makeover plan drawn up by the planners of Bhubaneswar Urban Knowledge Centre (BUKC) and to be jointly implemented by the BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authorities (BDA) and the works department to enhance the visual appeal of the host city.

While encroachments across the city will be removed, service roads will be carved out and redesigned . There will be designer plaza signage with directions marked for restaurants, parking, taxi service and bus station.

There will be designer shrubbery and seasonal trees while grass pavers will be created with spider lily plantation at some select places. The civic body is also planning to have organised parking lots.

A drive will also be launched to remove stray animals from hotel areas as well as Kalinga Stadium area, the sources added.