Cuttack, Jan. 1: The municipal corporation has planned to develop Madhusmruti, the graveyard of the architect of modern Odisha, Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das, at Gorakabar, a British-era burial ground in the city.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation has decided to take up all-round development of the oldest burial ground.

A senior official of the civic body said the project was likely to be over before the death anniversary celebrations of Madhu babu on February 4.

As part of the measures, the corporation will undertake a cleanliness drive inside the burial ground and develop basic amenities.

Though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has already taken measures to preserve Madhusmruti, the civic body will take steps to level the ground inside the cemetery.

Since long, the Odia Baptist Church has been demanding urgent measures to address the waterlogging problem at the burial ground.

Gorakabar was built around 1822 and is under the control of the Cuttack Odia Baptist Church, which is responsible for its maintenance and development.

'Due to paucity of funds, we have not been able to carry out development works at the burial ground. However, senior corporation officials and the Cuttack MP have assured us to take urgent measures to sort out various problems here at the earliest,' said Lalmohan Raul, vice-president of the Cuttack Odia Baptist Church.

Raul said the absence of proper drainage channels was causing waterlogging and creating problems for those using the cemetery in the monsoon. Church officials have been pushing for levelling the land, which is lower than the height of the road.

At present, a sump pit has been set up by the corporation near the deer park to pump out excess water from Madhusudan Nagar and Gorakabar. But, this has not helped much.

Gorakabar, the pre-Independence burial ground is set to get a new look as a detailed project report has been prepared for its development and preservation. Cuttack MP Bhatruhari Mahatab on Tuesday had visited the place and took stock of the problems.

'A co-ordinated effort by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and the people is required for the all-round development and preservation of Gorakabar,' said Mahatab.

He said the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture had prepared a detailed project report for the all-round development of Gorakabar, including renovation of the British-era tombs. The project would be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore.