Bhubaneswar, Aug. 12: If plans of the development authorities get off the drawing board, residents here can hope to have recreation zones with walkways for elderly, play area for kids and flower plantation-encircled sitting arrangements for youths.

The facilities will be part of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority's proposed plan to develop lake zone-II. The authorities have already prepared the plan for the big-ticket project.

There are three lake zones along the natural drainage channel No. 10, which starts from Nayapalli. While the BDA City Centre is falls under zone-I, other two zones are to be developed.

At present, zone-II, which lies between Sachivalaya Marg and Janpath, is in focus. The plan is to build the facility over 29 acres.

While working on the plan, the architects of the project, Designers Forum, have planned zones for visitors of the all age groups.

While the old-age zone has more focus on green landscape, jungle way and walkways, the kids' portion will include have a play area.

The youth zone would boasts of fragrant flowers, along with sitting arrangements and a central plaza.

Architect of the firm Akshaya Beuria said: "The lake zone-II project will centre around a waterfront of around 1km on both the banks. Different zones for various age groups and two shopping areas with place for eateries and handicrafts have been planned. While the entrances at two ends to the lake zone will be on the Sachivalaya Marg-end and Janpath, respectively, two banks at both ends will be connected by two sky bridges."

"The waterfront will also have boating facility," Beuria said.

Two rows of kiosks for food and crafts vendors on the opposite side of the three zones will have an array of local, national, international cuisines and street food.

"The crafts bazar will have an ambience like Delhi Haat with a pan-Indian look. There will be around 200 kiosks, and by selling the space, the project can become self-sustained," said Beuria.

Another interesting component of the zone-II project will be a walking track of more than 2.5km - a facility that will help visitors to stay fit. Along the track, there will be miniature models depicting the evolution of the Kalinga architecture - from the caves to the temples, and now, the modern-age sculptures.

The cost of the envisaged zone with two lakefronts would be more than Rs 50 crore. The housing and urban development department will fund the project.

Chief horticulturist of the development authority Ashok N. Dhar told The Telegraph: "The entire lake zone (I, II and III) is an integrated project. The encroachment issue will be redressed shortly and then the work on the lake zone-II would start. Later, work on zone-III will be taken up."

Environment expert Bijay Mishra said: "The sensitive lake zone project should be executed with sincerity. The local temperature remains on the higher side due to absence of adequate water bodies in the city. Once executed, the lake zone project is expected to give a cooling effect."