Bhubaneswar: The administration here has started to prepare a blueprint to implement a slew of projects that will transform the state capital ahead of next year's Men's Hockey World Cup.

Though the focus would be on executing smart city projects, general beatification such as wall painting and plantations will be taken in the next level.

At a high-level meeting, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi directed officials of various departments to expedite smart city projects and come up with comprehensive plans to prepare the state capital for the big sports event to be held in November next year.

Sources said the city would have better traffic, parking and transit management systems. It would be done through integrated action at the proposed command control centre in Satya Nagar.

"We took up a 90-day challenge and did our best to present Bhubaneswar in a grand manner during the Asian Athletics. For the upcoming Men's Hockey World Cup we are planning it big and have decided to take steps much in advance," said municipal commissioner Krishan Kumar.

An official said the focus would be on commissioning adaptive traffic signal system at 58 junctions. At present, the system is operational at 13 city junctions. The new traffic signal system would help manage traffic with system-based intelligent inputs as per the flow and vehicle volume.

Parking and transit management will also be in focus with the authorities are planning two multi-level car parking facilities at Unit I and Saheed Nagar. The Wi-Fi system will get operational partially before the beginning of the event next year. The government has recently approved the project report.

"Apart from the planned projects, we are going to introduce the common payment card most probably by January using which the users can not only pay their parking and other such fees, but also get tickets for the world cup," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The administration is also in talks with the Bhubaneswar Puri Transport Services Limited for renovating the existing bus stops and introduction of about 100 new buses. In the meantime, the Baramunda Bus Terminal will also get a facelift prior to the world cup.

Praising the administration for successfully hosting the athletics meet, Damana resident Suryakant Mishra said: "I hope they would go a step ahead to transform the city for the hockey world cup."