Sambalpur, Dec. 18: Sambalpur is all set for a beautification drive. The revenue divisional commissioner has instructed industrial houses working in the region to start the proposed beautification work within 15 days.

These industrial groups had been allotted several developmental and beautification jobs around six months ago.

The decision to allot the development and beautification work to various industrial houses was taken at a meeting held on June 18. The then collector of Sambalpur, Mrinilini Darswal, and the vice-chairperson of Sambalpur municipality, Siddharth Saha, were present at that meeting. It was agreed that the industrial groups would complete the work within two months.

But as no progress has been made, revenue divisional commissioner Alekh Chandra Padhiary on Monday convened a meeting of the industrial houses and directed them to start the work within 15 days.

“Lack of coordination between the industrial houses and the municipality has led to the beautification work being delayed. The process has been streamlined and work will start now,” said Padhiary.

The list of projects includes improvement of Sen Park, Ram Sagar Boating Club, remodelling and beautification of prominent chhaks, street lighting, creation of parking place near Golebazar and Laxmi Talkies Chhak, important roads signages, purchase of machines for sanitation work, development of bus and taxi stands, improvement of Rajghat and installation of welcome gates.

Improvement of important roads such as Gaiety Talkies Road, Hospital Road, G.M. College Road, San Sadak, Bad Sadak, Zilla School Chhak to Peerbaba Chhak Road and Ring Road will also be undertaken.

The industries assigned to carry out developmental work include Aryan Ispat, Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd, Aditya Alumina, Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd, Hindalco, Bishakha Asbestos, Biraj Industries and Shyam DRI.