Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 will be held after 90 days and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) have lined up a series of projects for the citizens to use and celebrate. Here’s a low down:
Transport
CRUT has planned 200 bus queue shelters (modern bus stops) at a cost of Rs 20 crore. For better management of the city buses, there will be two bus depots at Patrapada and Patia respectively. By November, more than 100 buses will run in the city along with the existing fleet. There will be better frequency on less covered routes such as Chakeisiani, Ghatikia, Sikharchandi and Kalinga Vihar.
Streets and mechanical sweeping
Mechanical sweeping will be done by both the BMC and BDA along the 80 km route to the venue. A letter of authorisation (LOA) has been issued to start the work. Cleaning will also include signages, dustbins and sprucing up of statues. The agencies will also be equipped with manual cleaning staff. Streetlights will be scrutinised and repaired along the 80-km stretch. This road will be free of hoardings and flex billboards to ensure a clean and clear skyline. Encroachments will also be removed. Wi-Fi facility will be functional in the city by the end of October. The network will be accessible at 300 points across the State Capital.
40 km plantation
BDA will take up plantation and development of medians and ornamentation along a 40 km stretch. This will cover various roads and junctions including traffic islands, medians and avenue plantations, planter boxes, barricades and dustbins etc. The plantation activity will include planting of flower beds, grass, lawns, shrubs, hedge rows and trees. Besides, there will be planter boxes and hanging planters along with tree guards and railings. However, the project proponent will be encouraged to use further innovations when developing its proposal and suggest alternatives that are beneficial for the project.
Street art
Street Art and Mural Project (STAMP) to beautify the city will be undertaken by the BMC for which selection/panel preparation will be finalised by September 5. STAMP was earlier appreciated during the Asian Athletics Championship 2017.
Heritage Signage:
Heritage signage will be in place for which Odisha Municipal Corporation has already given more than Rs 2 crore to BMC. Already the Old Bhubaneswar area has become a hoarding free zone and the heritage signage with the characteristics matching the monuments would change the scenario.
Five more heritage/nature walks (trails)
The city will have five more heritage walks, cycle tours and nature trails apart from the existing three i.e. Ekamra Walks in Old Town, Monks, Caves and Kings at Khandagiri-Udayagiri and Museum Walks at Crafts Museum, Kala Bhoomi, which are currently being undertaken by BDA, BMC and Odisha Tourism.
City festivals
City festivals of food, music and entertainment will be done at Janata Maidan by BDA, BMC and Odisha Tourism. A Storytelling Festival will be organised by BDA in collaboration with Bakul Foundation. Two finalised venues for this festival are Buddha Jayanti Park and Indira Gandhi Park. The third could be Madhusudan Das Park or Kala Bhoomi.
Bhubaneswar Art Trail
Bhubaneswar Art Trail will be organised to showcase the state’s heritage and art in a collaborative mode by BDA, BMC and Utsha Foundation. This project will be located on a trail of 1.3 km in the Old Town including the street houses, important medieval monuments, modern and contemporary architecture, schools, shops, public institutions, etc. Artists will explore these edifices from different time periods and interact with the community, their history, personal memories, etc. to map the transformations and record not only the memories but the aspirations of the community and their dreams about the city.
