Quila Maidan in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 8: The state tourism department has undertaken a conservation and beautification plan for the long-neglected Quila Maidan in front of the Barabati fort here.

The state tourism department will spend about Rs 1 crore for renovation of the historic maidan, which is one of the oldest playgrounds and venue for political meetings and bali yatra in the city. Construction of a boundary wall around the maidan has already started. Official sources said that decorative boundary wall of 3-ft height would be constructed to restrict the entry of cattle and other animals.

The construction of boundary wall, would not, however, result in reduction of space for the existing playground and bali yatra ground, assured an official.

“A joint verification by the officials of tourism and district administration was done earlier and every effort is being taken to ensure that no problem occurs in the conduct of bali yatra,” said sub-collector J.P. Das.

A convenience centre would also be established at one corner of the maidan, where lakhs of people congregate from different parts of the state during bali yatra every year.

The convenience centre will have a rest room, besides four washrooms for male and female tourists.

Lights would be installed on the boundary wall and there would be a concrete footpath that could be used by local residents for morning and evening walk, Das said, adding that the all the proposed development work was expected to be completed before the bali yatra in November.

“We welcome the initiative of the district administration. But, they have not yet taken any measures to keep the area clean. Heaps of garbage are found dumped here almost all the time,” said Seikh Imran, a local resident.

Imran said despite police patrolling during evening, a complete check on illegal activities, such as consumption of alcohol, on the maidan had not been possible.

In another development, the Cuttack city branch of the Congress has threatened to launch an agitation if the ongoing construction is not stopped immediately. Several Congress leaders opposed the beautification move of the district administration as they believed it would reduce the space of the maidan.

“We are against the construction of boundary wall as it would be an obstacle in the smooth conduct of bali yatra here. We will soon meet the district administration officials with our request,” said Congress leader Suresh Mohapatra.