Bhubaneswar: The civic body and the development authority are considering a proposal to take up an ornamental plantation drive under the Raj Mahal Square flyover as part of the beatification drive before the Men's Hockey World Cup in November.

A local nursery has submitted the proposal to carry out the plantation by itself for free under the flyover.

"We have received the proposal and are considering it. We already have plans to take up fresh ornamental plantation drives in various parts of the city ahead of the Men's Hockey World Cup. Raj Mahal Square is among those places where the plantation drive will be carried out," said a civic official.

The square now wears a barren look because of the ongoing Smart Janpath project that has claimed the plants that were planted under the flyover during the Asian Athletics Championship last year.

"It is not right for the authorities to kill the plants in such a manner," said Birendra Hota, who runs a a shop near the junction.

The Telegraph has reported several times about the apathetic attitude of the authorities towards maintaining greenery.

Last year, the authorities had hired an agency that decorated the junction with ornamental plants.

Environmentalists also blamed the authorities for the current situation.

"The city has enough space for plantations, but it is not being done properly," said city environmentalist Sailabala Padhi.

"There has to be an effort to create more greene spaces in the city instead of focusing only on concrete infrastructure," Padhi said.

"Plantation is an integral component of the Smart Janpath plan. Work on redevelopment of the street will be completed from Sishu Bhavan to Raj Mahal Square ahead of the hockey world cup. We are planning to have a permanent plantation under the flyover as part of the project this time," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.