Bhubaneswar: The government has turned its attention to Bidyut Marg here in an attempt to replicate the ambitious development plans it has already put in place for Janpath and Sachivalaya Marg.

The housing and urban development department, along with the works department, plan to widen the six-lane road into eight-lanes. The redeveloped road will become 60m wide from its present 45m.

Sources said a portion in front of the Kalinga Stadium has been earmarked for implementing the pilot project. "We have decided to develop the portion in front of Kalinga Stadium for the upcoming Men's Hockey World Cup," said a Bhubaneswar Development Authority official.

This road will be redeveloped according to Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited's street-design template with dedicated carriageways, sidewalks and cycle tracks. It will also have a dedicated space for street furniture and markets, while the median will be decorated with ornamental plants.

According to a road survey by smart city officials, 47 per cent of Bidyut Marg was utilised as carriageways, while a mere 14 per cent was available for pedestrians and cyclists. This left a whooping 39 per cent space unused on the main road.

"We have taken a decision and will convene a meeting with agencies concerned to work out the modalities before we start to redevelop the stretch. The basic design for the road is ready. Now, we only have to get a firm to take up the work," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The administration has already put its focus on infrastructure development around Kalinga Stadium, the main venue, to successfully host the Men's Hockey World Cup. Besides, the present decision of redevelopment of the road, there are also plan to construct two foot-over-bridge on this road.

"Hosting the world cup is our biggest responsibility and we want to do it well. Redeveloping Bidyut Marg was always part of out plans, but it will be taken up on priority. The 400m stretch in front of the stadium will be developed first, which will later be expanded to other side," said the development authority official.

"We have already started work on the Janpath stretch, while we have finalised the modalities for the Sachivalaya Marg stretch. We will do the same at Bidyut Marg - our architects are preparing the design for the two foot overbridges. We will assess the projects from the portion in front of Kalinga Stadium before starting the work," said the works department's chief engineer (road) O.P. Patel.

Residents also lauded the administration's effort for taking up the work. "The city got some infrastructure for last year's Asian Athletics Championship. The government should continue to host such events to continue improving infrastructure," said Nayapalli resident Chiteswar Jena.