Bhubaneswar, Nov. 5: The state of Kalinga Kanan, a green stretch with sculptures near Kalinga stadium, shows how scant regard government officials have towards beautification projects in the city. The statue of a tribal woman, that was lying broken there, has now gone missing.

On April 24, The Telegraph published a report on how the civic body and its partners neglected the city’s beautification projects. The statue, which was broken at the base and was lying detached, has now disappeared, making it apparent that the authorities must have thought it is right to relocate the statue than rebuild it. The missing one, along with three other tribal women’s statues, was installed at the park to portray tribal life amidst nature.

“The Kalinga Kanan project, which was built by Aliza and Fahmida International, was later assigned to MG Mohanty Mines for maintenance. We have decided to rebuild the entire stretch following the same design as installations along the Acharya Vihar-Sainik School Square stretch,” said Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, adding that the four statues of tribal women would be replaced by the new company and this is the reason why they were not being repaired.

The civic authorities will hold talks with the maintenance agency regarding this next week.

“Apart from the statues, other rock and wooden art, ornamental plants and electrical installations will also be replaced,” Jena said.

Like the Kalinga Kanan project, a beautification drive near AG Square is also lying in neglect. The arch with “diyas” near AG Square is part of the project that extended from AG Square to Rajmahal Square and was executed in 2007.

Urban development practitioner Piyush Ranjan Rout said the government agencies involved in beautification drives should keep a tab on the major projects and especially those along the main roads.

“As the projects along the Nandankanan-Airport Road greet travellers and visitors to the state, they should be given top priority,” he said.

Interestingly, the civic body is planning another ambitious project to beautify the square near the new domestic terminal at Biju Patnaik Airport to showcase Odisha’s art, architectural and monumental treasure.