Bhubaneswar, June 3: The state government today directed all government and private agencies concerned to pull up socks so that all ongoing urban beautification projects are completed before the Asian Athletics Games to be held here next month.

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi took stock of the situation today and asked the officials to speed up the work.

The administration has planned many long-term and short-term beautification projects keeping in mind the games, which will start on July 5 and conclude on July 9. Athletes and delegates from about 45 countries will take part in the event.

"We are beautifying six major stretches of the city. Besides, junctions and underpasses between Vani Vihar Square and Baramunda Square will be also painted ahead of the games. The work will be completed by the end of this month," said commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Krishan Kumar. The officials are also making efforts to ensure cleanliness in the city, besides giving final touch to various infrastructure projects that are nearing completion. Central Electricity Supply Utility officials have been asked to complete the ongoing underground cabling work at various parts of the city. They have also been told to ensure that power cuts do not take place during the games.

This apart, officials of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar Development Authority have been asked to repair footpaths and cycle tracks. The officials will also clear roadside encroachments before the games. Private agencies in charge of sanitation have been told to ensure cleanliness in the city.

The stretches that are being beautified are Janpath, Sachivalaya Marg till Kalinga Hospital Square, Governor House to KIIT Square, Kalpana to Gopabandhu Square via Governor House Square, Khandagiri Square to Rasulgarh Square and Cuttack Road from Museum Square to Samantarapur Square. The junctions selected for the beautification work are Raj Mahal Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, Acharya Vihar Square, Vani Vihar Square, CRPF Square and Baramunda Square. These junctions are being painted, while sculptures and other structures are also being installed.

"Beautification at Raj Mahal Square has already been completed. Work on other junctions on National Highway-5 will be taken up in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India. We plan to complete the work at the junctions by mid-June," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.