BDA to develop public spaces on both sides of NH-16

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has decided to take up a series of development activities along both the sides of National Highway-16 that runs through the heart of the city. The BDA will take up development on identified sites along the NH-16 stretch between Regalia Square and Kuakhai bridge, which is about 17-km long, under ‘Public realm development’. The development authority has initiated the process with an initial survey of the stretch.
As per the plan, potential sites along the national highway will now get a facelift by the development of designated parking spaces, cycle tracks and bike lanes, walking tracks for pedestrians, open spaces, landscaping and greenery, among others. The development authorities are also planning to take up redesigning of select junctions along the NH-16.
“Public realm plays a vital role in urban planning and designing. For the project, we will identify potential locations along the national highway where we will take up development work. The plan is to create more people and environment-friendly infrastructure,” executive engineer (BDA), Bimalendu Mohanty, said.
He said they will collaborate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and with their consultation, take up the projects based on a feasibility survey. “We have decided to first carry out a survey of the stretch to find out the trends and demands. Based on the outcome, we will plan our respective projects along the highway,” Mohanty said.
Sources said the BDA has divided the entire stretch into 17 parts for the survey.