Smart Janpath Project: Major eviction drive near Master Canteen Square

Bhubaneswar: In a major eviction process, jointly carried out today by the Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Commissionerate Police, area near the city railway station was made free from encroachments to enable smooth implementation of the ongoing Smart Janpath Project.
Apart for ensuring a better and smooth traffic circulation to an important road connecting the Master Canteen Junction with the Bhubaneswar Railway Station, this drive would also make a way for the Public Realm (space) for the Smart Janpath Project by providing cycling track, pedestrian lighting, buffer zone for ornamental plantation and sitting arrangements for the citizens.
During the eviction drive 23 polythene and bamboo shed shops, 28 fast food counters on trolleys and 32 vending/mobile shops selling fruits and other items were demolished despite heavy opposition from the vendors. During the process two enforcement squads from of BDA, two squads of BMC, one from Smart City, police force led by IIC of Kharvel Nagar police station participated.
The enforcement drive, carried out under the direction of the Managing Director and CEO of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited-cum-BMC Commissioner and VC BDA Sanjay Kumar Singh, was also monitored by General Manager Smart City Kamaljit Das, Manager (Engineering) BSCL Pradeep Singh, Assistant Commissioner (Enforcement) BMC Lilan Sahoo and Enforcement Officer BDA Pramod Patra, among others.
It can be mentioned here that the eviction process was stalled for various reasons and occasions at four occasions in the past. However, with the Managing Director and CEO of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited emphasizing a more focused and decisive approach on the Smart Janpath Project, things have started moving faster. Recently, the encroached portions in front of Hotel Jajati and near Tarini temple were razed.
The development of Smart Janpath, off late has attracted the attention of the public with the Smart Kiosks giving a distinct touch and style to the major thoroughfare of the city. Also, with addition of public plazas and extension of the walking and cycling tracks and pedestrian lighting arrangements, the project components have added to the beauty of the landscape, which is having its natural green cover as well.
Following the Ekamra Kshetra and I Love Bhubaneswar public plazas at Sishu Bhawan Square and Master Centeen Square respectively, attracting public and especially young generation during evening and morning hours and being widely used as sought-after “selfie points”, the Temple Plaza near Ram Mandir Square is now attracting evening crowd and people to stroll around, click photos and spend time with family and friends in an ambience soaked with divinity and nature. During the day time flocks of pigeons are making the venue more attractive and one can also find people feeding the birds, there.

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