Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited the project site of Smart Janpath to take stock of the work and its status.

The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) is now executing the project under the ambitious Smart City Mission.

BSCL chief executive Vineel Krishna and managing director Krishan Kumar, who escorted Naveen, briefed him on the project.

The chief minister sat on a chair put up for him right on the Janpath near Sishu Bhavan Square and talked to the officials on the project status and directed them to take steps for its speedy completion.

"He came right near the project site and saw for himself what we have done so far. We have briefed him on our upcoming plans. He directed us to complete as much as we can ahead of the men's hockey world cup," said a BSCL official present during Naveen's visit.

Smart Janpath is a part of the Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal where the officials have planed to develop a model street for the state capital. Once complete, Janpath will be redeveloped with the introduction of lane driving, streetscape design, beautification, landscaping, intersection design and other infrastructure.

The authorities have completed the earthwork from Sishu Bhavan Square to Raj Mahal Square and will shortly be taking up landscaping and design work of the intersections. The high-tension wires have also been put under the ground from Sishu Bhawan to Master Canteen Square.

Smart Janpath is a part of the area-based development projects of Smart City. The entire stretch between Bapuji Nagar Square and Vani Vihar Square will be redeveloped under the project.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said: "We have the deadline of December 2019 to complete the entire project and we will commission half of it ahead of the hockey world cup."