The Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 30: The ambitious plan to create a parking lot adjacent to the Kalinga Stadium has failed to take off.

Hence, arrangements for parking will be done inside the stadium complex for next week’s Champions Trophy.

Sources said the sports department, which is managing the stadium complex, is yet to get the ownership of the land along the facility next to the Airport-Nandankanan road from the general administration department.

The department is the owner of all government land in and around the city.

During January last, the city administration had decided that the space near the stadium, now known as Kalinga Kanan, would be developed as a parking lot so that there would be no parking inside the stadium.

During the Hockey India League (HIL), officials of the civic and development authorities, city police and the general administration department had decided that the Kalinga Kanan stretch could be used as a parking lot so that there could be smooth management of traffic in the area during sports meets.

Interestingly, not only the green patch of Kalinga Kanan has to be removed to make room for the parking lot, but also an unauthorised temple has to be removed as it has spread its area without any action by the authorities concerned.

Officer-in-charge of Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex Barija Mohanty told The Telegraph: “We were eager to convert the Kalinga Kanan patch near the stadium wall to a parking lot, but the general administration department has to transfer the land in our name so that we can take it over and start the construction work.’’

Regarding the encroachment by the temple he said: “Let the authorities transfer the land to us. We will take care of the removal of the encroachment with the help of the civic body and the police. Once the place is converted into a parking lot, then there will be better management of parked vehicles during sports events.’’

On February 4, former vice-chairman of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Vishal Dev said: “For now we have to get the land along the wall of Kalinga Stadium adjoining the airport-Nandankanan Road to ensure better parking.’’

Sources in the sports department also added that a multi-level parking lot would finally come into existence in the future once the entire stadium complex is fully developed with its facilities.

But according to the present requirement, the land along the Kalinga Kanan stretch will provide enough space to accommodate vehicles.

At present, facilities have been added for sports such as athletics, lawn tennis, swimming and hockey.

During the ensuing Champions Trophy matches in December and HIL in 2015 January, the stadium will provide parking for two-wheelers near gate No. 2 and four-wheelers through gate No. 4.

“We will also open another gate from the Nayapalli-end near a private marriage hall Golap Resorts to ensure a smooth flow of traffic inside the stadium,’’ said the officer in-charge.

Nayapalli resident Subhranshu Patnaik said: “The authorities should start using the space along the stadium for parking so that there will be less inconvenience for the public and the traffic cops during the hockey matches.’’