The proposed park in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Dec. 3: The civic body has geared up to give shape to its proposal of a park dedicated to martyrs.

The proposed Saheed Park will be established near Nuapatna at Mangalabag. Statues of 13 martyrs, including six from the state, will be installed in the park.

Sources said the much-awaited Saheed Park would shortly be opened for public as the Cuttack Municipal Corporation had targeted to complete its construction within three months.

“The construction of the 13 fibre-made statues have already been completed. Plantation has also begun in the park,” said councillor of ward No. 30 Ranjeeta Kahali.

Kahali said statues of Odia martyrs Veer Surendra Sai, Laxman Nayak, Raghu Mohanty, Dibakar Parida, Baji Rout and Chakhi Khuntia would be installed at the park.

The park will be constructed on the pattern of the Mogul Garden in New Delhi. It will have a variety of flowering plants, while there will also be a rose park and five water fountains.

An official said the park’s budget had been estimated at Rs 10 lakh. Though it was proposed in 2005, there was a delay in carrying out the necessary work for the park because of a controversy over naming it.

“The project was delayed. But, we are happy that the work has finally started,” said Mangalabag resident Kishore Das.

A corporation official said adequate steps had been taken to improve parks at various places in the city. Rides for children have also been installed in most of the parks, while stress is also being given on development of pathways and adequate lighting facilities.

“Most of the civil works for the park’s construction have reached final stages, while electrification and lighting will also be taken up shortly,” said corporation’s executive engineer (division-I) Dhiren Prusty.

Prusty said there was a proposal of having a pump house for the water fountains at various locations in the park. There would also be arrangements for installation of visitors’ benches and joyrides.