Bhubaneswar, Dec. 20: The municipal corporation has drawn up a plan to make the city child-friendly.

So far, efforts to make Bhubaneswar a smart city have been centred on developing its infrastructure and facilities and introducing better plans. But now, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has brought children under the plan.

The plans, which are also aimed at making the city safe for kids, were made based on recommendations received in a survey after Bhubaneswar emerged on top of the heap in the Centre's ambitious smart city scheme.

The details of the plans were discussed at an Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) meeting held on November 21.

The plan includes installing modern playing tools for children at public parks across the city. Swings of low height, seesaw, merry-go-round, swing sets, slides, jungle gym, chin-up bars, sandbox, spring rider, trapeze rings, playhouses, and mazes are some of the rides to be introduced.

"These play tools help children develop physical coordination, strength, and flexibility, as well as providing recreation and enjoyment," a city school teacher said.

"It is often found that children's recreation points at the public parks in the city are not well maintained. For Bhubaneswar to emerge as a child friendly city, this shortcoming has to be addressed," she added.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said a meeting with firms dealing in children's recreation equipment would shortly be held.

Besides, tables and washbasins of low height would be provided at the four Aahar centres in the city.

The plan envisages drawing popular cartoons at important intersections and near schools in the city. These cartoons be use to catch the attention of children and spread important social messages. The smart city initiative also envisages building a child-friendly smart city centre here.

A facilitation centre has already been opened at the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) office here. The authority had signed an MoU with Britain's Bernard van Leer Foundation for funding.

Sources said the foundation has agreed to provide Rs 60 crore financial assistance for building the child-friendly smart city centre. BDA sources said the Bhubaneswar Town Centre District, an area spread over 3.9sqkm in the city, would be the focus area for implementation of child friendly centre.

In view of ever worsening traffic situation in the city, it has been decided to create zebra crossings near schools. Besides, as many as 10 child friendly buses with ramps will also ply on the city roads. Urban town planner and architect Narsingh Behera said children's opinion on development of a city is important.

"This has been the norm in Auckland, New Zealand, where every decision aimed at civic development includes participation of children (those aged below 14 years of age)," he said, adding that the mindset of people towards children and their ideas has to change as children observe things more carefully than adults.