Bindu Sagar revamp
Area of development
The 1,300ft long and 700ft wide heritage pond is used to conduct rituals of the Lingaraj Temple. Residents also use the pond to perform shraddha and Boita Bandana.
The plan
Restoring the pond with the construction of fresh embankment, parikrama, introducing a light and sound show and linking it to the Daya river for recharge of the water was part of the revamp plan. Rs 30 crore has already been sanctioned for the job over the past 22 years, but nothing has happened.
The status
The water is polluted as wastewater from households and other establishments flow into the weed-filled pond. Local residents continue to encroach on the pond’s embankments.
Peoplespeak
The administration lacks the seriousness that the job demands. Crores have been spent but the pond’s condition remains unchanged. If things continue in this fashion a day will come when the pond will lose its existence
Biraja Mohapatra, Bhimtangi resident
Underground cables Ashwinee Pati
Heritage signage Ashwinee Pati
Hoarding mess Ashwinee Pati
Underground cables
Area of development
The state government is working on bringing down overhead high tension wires and putting them underground to make the city look clean and beautiful.
The plan
The effort was to complete the underground cable laying work in Old Town before the commencement of the Men’s Hockey World Cup in November. However, the project was dropped, as the executor felt that time was too short to meet the November deadline.
The status
The decision to drop the project has left the Old Town skyline cluttered, hampering the beauty several heritage monuments. At some places, the wires obstruct the view of the monuments.
Peoplespeak
The administration is unable implement any development project in the Old Town. Such repeated failures raise serious questions about the efficiency of the officials. They should have completed at least one project without a hitch
Maniratna Panigrahi, a resident
What the mayor says
We are ready with all our plans to revamp Old Town. We are only waiting for the right time. All of our agencies will swing into action soon for the makeover of
Bindu Sagar and installation of signage Ananta Narayan Jena
Hoarding mess
Area of development
Signage and hoardings clutter the Old Town skyline. Hoardings and paintings outsides shops and houses spoil beauty of the heritage zone.
The plan
To end hoarding menace, BDA’s heritage wing had come up with a guideline for the signage and declared a few areas as “No-hoarding zone”. The guidelines also regulate use of walls for painting advertisements.
The status
In absence of proper enforcement activities, the guideline for hoardings and signage remain stuck in red tape. What is worse, the no-hoarding zones are cluttered with billboards.
Peoplespeak
Not only the administration, the people should also come forward to develop the area. But the administration cannot shun its role of the torchbearer
Narayan Moharana, Old Town shopkeeper
Heritage signage
Area of development
The Old Town has more than 100 small and big temples apart from parks and ponds. Signage of varying types was in place to identify these places.
The plan
To introduce uniformity, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority’s heritage wing decided to replace 524 old signage with new ones. The plan was initiated in December 2016, but is yet to be completed.
The status
The project has been delayed and old signage continues to exist in Ekamrakhestra. Many of their signs also lie broken and dilapidated.
Peoplespeak
The monuments and temples in the Old Town give identity to the city. Outsiders, or even local residents, are unaware of the numerous temples and monuments that dot the area. Signage and boards should be installed to provide guidance to tourists
Pritam Achari, visitor to Lingaraj Temple
