In 2010, IIT-Kharagpur had prepared the city's comprehensive development plan (CDP) for an area of 419sqkm, covering 205 villages around Bhubaneswar.

In July 2011, nearly 351 villages, covering an area of 691sqkm, were added to the plan. At present, Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area covers 1,110sqkm.

IIT-Kharagpur had divided the 419sqkm area into 14 zones. After undertaking micro-level planning for four of these zones, experts from IIT-Kharagpur submitted the zonal development plan to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

Taking the initiative forward and to implement the CDP in a better way, the development authority has changed regulations for upcoming buildings. It has introduced concepts such as special heritage zone and solar panels for multi-storeyed buildings. While there will be a drainage master plan for the city, the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad, will be engaged in planning the bus rapid transit system.

The development authority will also have the responsibility to develop a transport system for the golden triangle comprising Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Puri and Konark to promote tourism. The system called integrated comprehensive mobility plan will be in place before Nabakalebara festival in Puri in 2015.

On Tuesday, the chief minister reviewed the status of the ongoing and proposed projects under the CDP. The Telegraph takes a look at the projects which, if completed, promises to transform urban life

Affordable housing

On September 1, foundation stone was laid for construction of 160 houses at Kalinga Nagar K-9, 1600 at Subudhipur and 328 at Kalinga Nagar K-4 on city outskirts. In addition, 2000 more houses at Shampur, 350 at Patrapada and 1000 at Khurda will be constructed.

In all, there will be 5438 affordable houses. There will also be houses for economically weaker sections, low and middle income groups

Better road network

City will have 60-km long and 200-ft wide ring road. Of this, an eight-km stretch will be dedicated to developing bus rapid transit system. The system will be later implemented in two other city corridors — Nandankanan-Jayadev Vihar and Vani Vihar-Sishu Bhawan Square. A road network master plan of 819.27km will also be taken up

Satellite township

Tata Consulting Engineers has already submitted a master plan for satellite township at Jagasara mouza in Jatni police station area. However, the 1,200-acre project was going slow with only 100 acres under possession, while land acquisition process was under way on another 190 acres. Last month, development bosses signed an agreement with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for providing technical support for faster land acquisition through town planning scheme

Urban re-generation

Development authorities have started urban regeneration project at Unit-I and Unit-II in November last year. This will include developing hangout zones between Rajmahal Square and AG Square with walking area, shops and eateries

Riverfront facelift

Development authorities, in association with water resources department, will explore possibilities for replicating Gujarat’s Sabarmati riverfront development project here. Daya and Kuakhai riverfronts will benefit from the makeover plan

Airport at Malipada

Development authorities were asked to expedite the process for setting up international airport at Malipada near Khurda. The government has already deposited Rs 8.39 lakh with the Airports Authority of India. A multi-disciplinary team of experts from AAI will visit the site within 45 to 60 days for ground survey

Convention centre

Multiple convention centres, a 4-star hotel, a retail arcade, an exhibition facility and space for public gathering will come up at Janata Maidan.

A world trade centre is being planned near Fortune Tower. An architect has been assigned responsibility of preparing master plan for developing these facilities

“Our top priority will be on affordable housing as real estate developers are there to cater to the needs of the premium segment. However, BRTS, ring road and convention centres are also very much there on the agenda.”

Vishal Kumar Dev,
vice-chairman, Bhubaneswar
Development Authority

 

Text by Bibhuti Barik,
Telegraph pictures