Bhubaneswar: The urban development authority has failed to make operational three of its indoor gyms that it had developed for fitness enthusiasts despite winning laurels for setting up open-air gyms in several others.

Sources said the development authority was finding it hard to get agencies to take up operation and management of the indoor gyms. The authorities had decided to hire a private agency to manage the facilities and floated the tender last December.

However, as the tender process could not be completed, the authorities were forced to revise it. The three gyms were developed outside major city parks near Kharavela Nagar, Pokhariput and Buddha Jayanti Park.

"We completed the civil work for the facilities at all three places. Now, we are in the process of getting agencies that will install the equipment and take care of management. We have invited proposals that will be finalised within two months," said the development authority's chief horticulturist A.N. Dhar.

Having learnt its lesson, the development authority has decided to invite separate tenders for separate facilities instead of getting one for all three.

Unit-III resident Nimun Ojha said there were basic equipment at the open-air gyms. However, people still needed to go to indoor gyms if they wanted efficient workout.