Bhubaneswar, June 22: The city is being given a colourful look before the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship with walls near Kalinga Stadium, the venue of the upcoming games, are getting action packed with art depicting various sports actions through the canvas.

Images are being depicted with popular sports activities with inspiring images of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, Mary Kom, Shravani Nanda and more. The passersby are enjoying the paint job while passing through stretches near the Reserve Police Battalion area.

"It is for the first time that I am watching such wall paintings in the city. The graffiti and the depiction of sports activities with paintings of popular sports legend are definitely enticing. I hope that the city successfully hosts the upcoming event," said Niranjan Nanda, a resident of Kharavela Nagar.

Another stretch near Raj Mahal Square is also transforming with dynamic images of many sporting images in form of wall paintings. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) have been co-coordinating with each other for the beautification drive.

The horticulture wing of the development authority has also started the landscaping work near Rajmahal Square flyover. The flyover has recently been transformed to a unique happening place of art depicting the urban dynamics of the locality involving Unit-II, Ashok Nagar, Bapuji Nagar and Unit-I daily markets.

Besides, the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) yesterday took out a rigorous driving training programme of the drivers to be used during the sports event. The corporation has provided special training to 180 drivers and train them on how to behave and retain the image of the state before the foreign delegates. The drivers will be provided with special uniform and they will come into action from June 1.

In another development, the Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee consisting personnel from the urban development authority, the municipal corporation and the police carried out eviction programme to clear encroachments near gate No. 9 of Kalinga Stadium for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship.

"We have got the requisition and go ahead for the eviction drive near Kalinga Stadium yesterday. Local people came out in large numbers and tried to hamper our work. We were forced to take the help of police. After rigorous three hours, we were finally able to clear the site for the games. We will also monitor that they do not get back from where they have been evicted," said BDA liaison officer Subhransu Sekhar Mohanty.