Cuttack, Feb. 19: The civic body plans to introduce the city's own Raahgiri event here following the huge success of the initiative in Bhubaneswar.

Sources in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation said they wanted to launch the event by the second week of March.

The civic body has already entrusted a team of officials with the task of identifying suitable roads for the event that aims to promote healthy living and a clean environment.

The primary objective of Raahgiri is to keep motorised vehicles off the road and provide space to people to indulge in various outdoor activities, including cycling, skating, yoga and various outdoor games.

"We are in the process of identifying the appropriate road stretches for Raahgiri. Once we finalise the locations, we will take adequate steps to develop the basic infrastructure," said deputy municipal commissioner Nirupama Swain.

Another official of the civic body said that it had already identified four major stretches -Deer Park to Gadgadia Ghat, CMC to Chandanpokhari Road, Barabati Fort to Biju Patnaik Chhak and Barabati Fort to Indoor Stadium Road - as prospective sites for the event.

Besides, alternative sites have also been identified, including the busy Buxi Bazar to Chandi Mandir Chhak stretch, Barabati Stadium to Cantonment Road and Ring Road-Puri Ghat to Khannagar.

Swain said the civic body was also co-ordinating with various cultural groups to make Raahgiri successful in Cuttack. She said the police and other departments would convene a meeting with these groups shortly for better co-ordination and to finalise the events.

"There has already been much delay. Bhubaneswar introduced Raahgiri last month. We hope that the civic officials complete the necessary formalities and introduce the concept here at the earliest," said Mission Road resident Jitendra Mohanty.

However, the presence of residential colonies along the major roads have emerged as a hindrance for hosting Raahgiri as blocking these thoroughfares for long hours would create traffic problems.

The residents, nevertheless, are enthusiastic about the proposal to introduce Raahgiri in the city.

"As the entire event will be restricted to three hours at the most, we hope the people of Cuttack will support the initiative. The event promotes a sense of togetherness," said Cantonment Road resident Rakesh Nayak.

A civic official said Raahgiri would also be used as a platform to educate people on Swacch Bharat Mission .