Bhubaneswar, Feb. 27: The civic body is gearing up to begin renovation of three parks in the city nearly a year after it had been proposed and six months after the foundation stones were laid.

The parks, located at Sailashree Vihar, Niladri Vihar and Kanan Vihar, will be renovated under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) scheme. The foundation stone for their renovation was laid on August 31 last year.

"We recently finalised the tendering process and awarded it to a single bidder. We have asked the executor to take up the renovation of three parks simultaneously. The bidder has assured us that work will begin next month and it will be over within six months," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The parks, which are located in dense residential areas, will see a wide range of developments, including proper water and electricity supply, construction of drain and children play area, adequate infrastructure, landscaping, plantation, construction of jogging paths and sitting areas.

While Rs 51 lakh will be spent for renovation of the Sailashree Vihar park, the parks at Niladri Vihar and Kanan Vihar would get Rs 52 lakh and Rs 32 lakhs, respectively, for their development. The administration has decided to develop another 14 parks under the Amrut scheme over the next four years.

"Parks and greeneries are extremely important for a city's environment. For citizens, too, it is a good place for recreational purposes. There were no parks or open spaces in our area except the Buddha Jayanti Park. Many of us were deprived of such facilities before. We hope that the development of the park would serve many purposes," said Sailashree Vihar resident Suchismita Mishra.

Earlier, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation had proposed to develop four parks under the Amrut scheme in 2017, but it was later cut short to three since the technical committee had cancelled the proposal of one park at Dumduma because of the costs involved. Sources said the park at Dumduma would now have a revised cost of Rs 10 lakh instead of the earlier Rs 6 lakh. It will come up next year.

Environmentalist Sailabala Padhi hailed the civic body's initiative to develop more green spaces in the city.

"Parks always serve dual purposes as these provide space to citizens and also ensure balance in the environment. More such steps should be taken by the administration," said Padhi.