Cuttack, April 17: The municipal corporation has decided to take up five more parks for development under the second phase of the ongoing Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) scheme.
The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) prepared a blue print for the proposed development of infrastructure at Chahata Park, Madhukunj Park, Gopabandhu Park, Gaurishankar Park and Gandhi Smruti Park in the city.
"We have identified five additional parks, while a final decision will be taken at a high-level meeting of the urban development department to be held on April 20," said A. Sridevi, chairperson CMC standing committee (parks and plantations).
Sridevi also said that the municipal corporation was keen on restoring green cover, beautification of the city and upgrading existing parks under the Centre's flagship programme.
Besides, efforts are on to create three new parks for which locations are being identified at Jagatpur, Choudwar and near Trisulia.
The new parks will house all the basic amenities, including jogging tracks, adequate sitting facilities and joy rides for children.
The second phase development of the new parks under the Amrut scheme is expected to start after the finalisation of financial estimates from November this year, official sources said.
"There is absolutely no space for recreation as all the existing parks lack basic amenities. Most of the people are now risking their lives and are forced to do morning and evening walk on the road," said Kishore Das, a resident of Badambadi.
CMC officials on the other hand claimed that already a detailed plan has been chalked out to revamp the infrastructure at the existing parks in the city.
The civic body had already identified four major parks -Chandan Pokhari Park, Biswanath Pandit Park, Akshay Mohanaty Park and Jobra Park for development under the Amrut scheme in the first phase starting from May.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had already laid the foundation stone for the development of these parks at an estimated cost of Rs 2.20 crore at a special function held on April 15.
According to plans, the municipal corporation will focus on adequate lighting provisions, public toilet, drinking water, setting up of boundary wall, sitting provision, lawn development, parking place and jogging tracks.
