Bhubaneswar: Construction of a multi-layer parking lot for visitors to the Nadankanan zoo is expected to begin this month.

The ball has been set rolling with the authorities starting work on a temporary parking lot. The works department will build the multi-layer parking lot, along with cafeteria. Deputy director of the zoo Jayant Dash said the multi-layer parking lot would be set up in an area of around 1.5 acres. "A cafeteria will be set up on the ground floor, while the rest two floors will be used for parking. The parking lot can accommodate around 800 vehicles, including four-wheelers, at a time," said Dash.

Nadankanan Zoological Park witnessed a record footfall in 2017-18 with 34.91 lakh tourists visiting the park. Compared to 2016-17, there were 1.14 lakh more tourists visiting the zoo. Zoo officials said the park also witnessed a record collection of Rs14.28 crore in 2017-18 as against Rs 9.69 crore in 2016-17.

"We have identified another patch of land to be used for temporary parking lot to facilitate the construction of the new multi-layer facility. The temporary parking lot will be ready by this week," said a zoo official. The works department will also develop the bus stand and include facilities such as rest shed and toilets. Zoo officials said either a underpass or a foot overbridge would also come up to link the bus stand to the main entrance. Earlier the zoo last year had got administrative approval of about Rs 30 crore from the government for all these projects.

"The government has earlier proposed a flyover and if it is built we will opt for an underpass or else a foot overbridge will be constructed for smooth passage of tourists from the bus stand," said a zoo official.