Lights illuminate the approach road to Kings Park at Perth in western Australia. A Telegraph picture

Sept. 19: Driving down or walking along a dark MG Road in Bharalumukh might soon be a thing of the past.

Dispur has decided to “light up” the trees along the Brahmaputra at Sankardev Udyan in a bid to bring the riverside garden to life in the evening.

A source in the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority said one would get a majestic view of the park at night because the trees will be illuminated with lights of varied hues.

The Guwahati development department (GDD) has appointed consultant engineer Jyotirindra Narayan Khataniar to execute the project. “Khataniar will carry out the job under the supervision of the GMDA,” the source said.

Khataniar had recently submitted a detailed project report to the GMDA. He also gave a presentation before GDD secretary A.K. Bhutani.

“During his presentation, Khataniar had shown slides of similar projects executed on the approach road to Kings Park at Perth in Western Australia,” the source added.

“According to our plans, initially, at least 20 weatherproof lights will be installed to light up the trees at the park. In Singapore, too, trees are decked with lights at prominent places using a similar technique,” the source said. He added that work on the project is likely to start by the end of October. The deadline for the project is mid-January.

The GMDA will fund the project along with another scheme to construct a welcome gate-cum-footbridge connecting T.R. Phukan Park with Sankardev Udyan.

The gate will be constructed on MG Road in Bharalumukh to greet visitors on their arrival in Guwahati. It will be designed with replicas of traditional Assamese items like sarai, japi and gamocha.

The source said the project would be a part of Dispur’s plan to give a facelift to the riverfront in the city. “The state government had earmarked Rs 200 crore to develop the riverfront in the city development plan, which was prepared to garner funds from the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission,” he added.

Dispur has selected the National Building Construction Corporation to prepare a detailed report on the riverfront project.