A new road and (above) a commercial complex at K-7 area of Kalinga Vihar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and public works department (PWD) have taken up a number of projects for the development of Kalinga Vihar area.

Work is in progress on a 1.2-km road connecting the Institute of Medical Sciences Square and K-7 area of Kalinga Vihar. Sources said the BDA planned to invest Rs 4.5 crore in the project. The road is nearing completion and will provide better access to the K7 area, where the Institute of Medical Sciences (Sum Hospital) is located.

While the PWD is developing another road connecting Kalinga Studio and Andharua, the BDA has also taken up other infrastructure development projects such as construction of a commercial building and community centre at K-7.

Even before the Kalinga Vihar Housing Scheme was floated in 1994 for high income and middle income group families, the Kalinga Nagar Plotted Scheme was launched to provide housing plots in 1992. However, the plotting scheme has been lagging behind with most people not going for construction because of lack of proper infrastructure. The BDA had to issue warning letters to plot owners either to construct houses or return the plots.

“We have taken up development measures including avenue plantations at Kalinga Vihar,” said BDA vice-chairman Deoranjan Kumar Singh. “While our engineers are undertaking construction of two major roads, a four-lane road from Kalinga Studio to Andharua by PWD will also provide better infrastructure to the entire area. The Kalinga Studio to Andharua road will later be extended up to Cuttack linking the Infocity,” said an engineer of the BDA.

Recent developments in the area include construction of a commercial complex and a kalyan mandap. While the commercial complex will be able to house 56 shops and three office spaces, the kalyan mandap will accommodate two community halls. Apart from the development of the two major complexes at K-7, the BDA has completed a major road near the new plantation site of K-7 to facilitate road network for the upcoming housing projects in public-private-partnership mode. The new road will connect the main master plan road of Kalinga Vihar originating from NH-5 to the other end of K-7 and the plotting scheme of the lower income group.

“We have planted an oilseed producing plant called bitter wood (Simarouba glauca) along lanes in the area. The interesting thing about the species is that cattle do not eat it and it can withstand harsh environmental conditions. In the next few years, the entire K-7 area will become a green belt,” said BDA chief horticulturist A.N. Dhar.