Bhubaneswar, July 29: For a change, a minister did the job that is usually left to residents - draw the attention of the authorities to a pressing civic issue.

A piece of government land, spread over two acres behind the Odisha Blind Association building at Kharavela Nagar, had become a dumping ground, much to the annoyance of residents.

But raising his voice in unison with the residents, revenue minister Bijayshree Routray, who stays in the vicinity, wrote to chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati suggesting that the plot should be developed into a park.

He argued that the park would not only add to the beauty of the locality but also help improve hygiene.

The minister apprehended encroachment of that patch by criminal elements and land grabbers, if the authorities did not take steps to utilise it.

Following public demand and the minister's request, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority has decided to develop two parks at Kharavela Nagar for more than Rs 1 crore.

While the first one will be located behind the blind association building, the second project would be the renovation of an old park near the Abhin Chandra Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital.

"Local residents use the land as a dumping ground. Things such as packing waste from the nearby godowns and offices to household waste and those generated by eateries in the cinema complex nearby are dumped here. So, the land should immediately be converted into a park. It is good that a minister has noticed it and asked the state government for action," said resident Prabhat Sahu.

"The entire government land is lying unutilised. The people are using it as a dumping ground, which makes it unhygienic for the local residents," said the minister.

Chief horticulturist of the development authority Ashok N. Dhar told The Telegraph: "We have inspected the site and done a preliminary survey to include the land in our new projects' list, but first, we have to get the land from the general administration department."

He said the park would have walking tracks, sitting arrangements, joyrides, exotic plants and landscaping, so that the visitors can spend some time there.

Referring to the other project, Dhar said: "We have started construction of the boundary wall of the Khandia park. Once the wall job is over, the renovation would begin."

Lala Ashok Kumar Ray, former councillor of Kharavela Nagar, said: "Local people had been demanding renovation of the Khandia park for the past several years. The authority should complete the work within two years."