Last year on local self-government day, BMC inaugurated a community park in Phase-VI area in Sailashree Vihar. The 18,000sqft park had a children’s play area, jogging and walking track, yoga enclosure and a dedicated space for flowering and non-flowering plants. (file picture)

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 16: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today decided to hit the launch pad on August 31, which happens to be local self-government day.

The BMC council meeting today shortlisted feasible projects and programmes for inauguration and foundation-stone laying on August 31.

The most important of these new projects is the introduction of a LED (light emitting diode) street-lighting system between Ram Mandir Square and Master Canteen. It will be the first such project in the state. The BMC could save two-third of the existing power cost through adoption of new-age technology.

“In comparison to the conventional street-lighting system, LED technology will consume one-third of the energy. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 82 lakh. The project will be executed through a Calcutta-based company,” said a BMC engineer, adding that street lights on another stretch — between Kalpana and Ravi Talkies Square — were under construction by Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) for an estimated cost of Rs 83 lakh.

Street-lighting work near Khandagiri on NH-5 and on the stretch between Acharya Vihar Square and Sainik School are likely to be inaugurated on August 31.

A central committee has been formed today to decide on the programmes of the local self-government day.

“The committee comprising councillors, officers, and engineers will inspect the project sites and submit a report to the BMC within two to three days. The final programme will be scheduled according to that report,” said a senior BMC official.

Some of the projects that could be launched on August 31 include laying of foundation stone of a crematorium at Jharpada and a bridge at Ainginia.

Inauguration of a park at Satyasai Enclave near Khandagiri, renovation of the stretch in front of the Assembly with ‘dokra’ craft motifs and programme for restoration of water bodies by BMC are expected to be kicked-off on August 31. Inauguration of a Badagada market is also a possibility.

The BMC council has also decided to hold a meeting of its councillors and engineers on the first week of every month to monitor the progress of various projects.

“The councillors demanded that the practice, once adopted by a former municipal commissioner, should be revived to ensure better work progress. The mayor accepted the proposal and advised the council to hold a monthly meeting. While work order worth Rs 2 crore were already awarded to different contractors across 60 wards in the capital, there has been no progress on these works in the past few months,’’ a councillor alleged.