Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 13: Urban planning experts have urged the government to create a special capital zone in Bhubaneswar, which celebrates its 67th foundation day Monday, to make it one of the best cities in the country.
A few stretches should be identified and developed to ensure smooth flow of traffic, said the experts, adding that these should have pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.The experts also suggested the development of a corridor from Old Town, Kalpana Square, Cuttack-Puri highway, Rasulgarh, CRP Square, Pokhariput, Biju Patnaik International Airport, AG Square, Janpath and Sahid Nagar. They laid emphasis to plan wide roads, zero encroachment, underground electricity wires, pathways for pedestrians and an effective garbage disposal mechanism on the corridor.
“The city does not have any such corridor and as a result development work is being carried out in a haphazard manner. The government should start focusing on small stretches and then implement the plan in other parts,” said urban planner Piyush Ranjan Rout.
Another town planning expert, Jitendra Panda, expressed concern over encroachments on a majority of footpaths that prevent people from walk freely.
“Every year on the capital’s foundation day the government pledges to improve amenities but little has been done in this regard. The government has to make sincere efforts to lure tourists and people who turn up in Bhubaneswar for the sake of jobs,” he said.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned to installed LED streetlights, set up wi-fi connectivity spots and public toilets, and chart out a town planning scheme to streamline infrastructural growth.
However, the schemes have largely remained on paper.
