DRINKING WATER
The city got its first water ATM on Monday along with two drinking water projects for ward Nos. 19 and 45. The much-hyped water ATM project got delayed due to the time taken to select the bidder. Those who want to use the facility will have to buy pre-paid smart cards to fetch drinking water.
Appreciating the move, local resident Jayanta Mishra said: “I hope there will more such water ATMs across the city in the future.”
GREEN PUSH
The launch of a mini park at Prasanti Vihar brought smiles on the faces of residents. “We did not have many recreational places in our locality. This will give people a place to unwind,” said Bishnupriya Hota, a homemaker. Foundation stones were also laid for another five parks across the city under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) scheme. The parks will come up at Nayapally, Madhusudan Nagar, Maitree Vihar, Sailashree Vihar and GGP Colony. Ward No. 12 will also get a children’s park.
BURNING GHATS
Foundation stones were laid for two new crematoriums at ward Nos. 9 and 22. The projects will be completed in the next eight to 10 months. The crematorium at ward No. 9 will benefit residents of Chandrasekharpur, Gadakana village, Rangamatia village and Munda Sahi, while the one at ward No. 22 will benefit residents of Bharatpur, Durga Madhab, Mahalakshmi Vihar and Shree Vihar.
LIT UP STRETCHES
Streets along Patel Marg near the Red Cross Bhavan were all lit up on Monday with energy efficient LED lights. On Monday, the civic body also switched on two high-mast lights — one at Ganga Nagar and the other near the Akhandalamani Temple at ward No. 39. Resident of Sailashree Vihar, Sumeet Mishra, said: “The lights on Patel Marg will ensure motorists’ safety on the stretch.”
HANGOUT ZONES
There is good news for senior citizens looking for hangout zones. The corporation has inaugurated a recreational centre for the elderly people at ward No. 3. “We often get bored sitting at home. The centre here would provide us a place where we can meet friends. It is a welcome move,” said retired state government employee Sushil Tripathy. The civic body has also laid the foundation stone for community centres at ward Nos. 56, 14 and 52 and day care centres at ward Nos. 5, 15 and 49. The civic body has also inaugurated two shelters for urban homeless at Ganga Nagar and Ashok Nagar.
THE WINNERS ARE...
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has emerged the winner among civic bodies across the state for providing quality services to people since 2012. Here is how the civic bodies fared since 2012.
NEW CADRE
While handing over the awards to the civic bodies on Monday, chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced a new cadre for civic bodies across the state.
Pictures by Ashwinee Pati
