Bhubaneswar, May 18: If everything goes as per plan, the untidy walls in the city that have become an eyesore would shortly be a thing of the past.

In an aim to promote culture of Odisha, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has decided to paint the city walls depicting local tradition, practices, rituals and lifestyle. The civic body had initiated a similar drive six years ago.

The corporation plans to do it in a public private partnership (PPP) mode. It has approached some of the corporate houses and private firms that have assured to take up the project.

The officials said walls along the major roads such as Sishu Bhavan to Rajmahal Square, AG Square to Jayadev Vihar Square, Airport to Acharya Vihar Square, Airport to Fire Station, Power House to CRPF Square and the roads around the airport would be taken up apart from some smaller ones.

Several firms have assured to work with the civic body, but they want to know the current market rate for wall painting and for this the civic body has approached BK Art and Crafts College.

The environment officer of BMC who looks after this activity wrote a letter last month to the principal of BK College of Art and Crafts to provide the current market rate for such painting activities. The officials said the art college had provided a rate three years ago when the wall painting was done along the stretch between AG Square and Governor house. The rate then was Rs 50 per square feet.

"We want the college to provide us the current rate, which will help us to deal with the private partners with whom we are going to coordinate for the project," said Srimanta Mishra, public relations officer of the corporation.

The principal of the BK Art and Crafts College, Suman Das said he had not seen the letter. However, he assured that after he read the letter, his institute would definitely inform the corporation. "This is a good project and we would love to help the civic body," said Das.

Besides, the corporation has also discussed with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that will undertake the wall painting job under the flyover at Jayadev Vihar, Acharya Vihar, Vanivihar, CRP Square, Fire Station and Baramunda along the national highways passing through the city.

Around six years ago, most of the roadside buildings and walls were painted to make the city look beautiful. But these were not taken care of. However, three years ago, some stretches were again painted. Some of these paintings still exist though they have lost the sheen. The corporation wants to repaint most of these walls located along the major roads. It has not yet set any deadline for the project.

The corporation officials said that they would decide the theme of the paintings.

"Though the private parties would make the proposals and plans about the paintings, the corporation would approve it. "Besides, the corporation may also seek state government's suggestion and implement it accordingly," said the a BMC official. But the focus would be on the local culture, tradition, practices, rituals and lifestyle.

This project will also help many needy artists earn a few bucks. Along with the students from the art college, these poor artists would be involved in the project and they would earn some money. In 2009, several artists were benefited, as the private parties had involved them in the beautification project.