LIVE TV
Odisha
Photo: OTV
Recommended Stories
The much-awaited FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 will be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela from January 13-29. With just around a week left for the marquee event to start, final preparation for beautification is yet to be completed and that remains a huge concern.
As per reports, Odisha government is in a hurry to finish all the beautification work. However, the denizens have put a question mark over the longevity of the new infrastructure built in a hurried manner.
Though the teams have started arriving for the mega event, city beautification work is yet to be completed and the State government is in a last moment hurry to complete the projects in time. While the uncompleted footpath is brushed with colour to cover up things, sub-standard construction work is being done in some other parts.
Meanwhile, several denizens of the Capital City have expressed concern over the longevity of the beautification work which is currently being undertaken in a hurried manner.
“The State government is undertaking the beautification work in a hurried manner. The longevity of those works remains a concern. Crores of rupees are being spent on those projects. If it sustains in the long run then only Odisha will be respected worldwide and the people coming from abroad will have a good feeling and notion about the State,” said Prakash Mohapatra, a senior citizen from Bhubaneswar.
However, the contractors exuded confidence of finishing the unfinished task within the deadline.
“The government officers are encouraging us regularly to finish the beautification work in time. We are working day and night. We are confident that the road project will be finished before the start of the World Cup,” said Asit Parida, a contractor in Bhubaneswar.
“We have been given the contract for the construction of walls. The construction work is going on on a war footing. We are hopeful of finishing the work within 2-3 days,” said Prakash Jena, another contractor.
The State government has allocated an extra budget of around Rs 100 crore for the beautification work. However, its proper implementation is under scanner.
However, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said the beautification work is under the purview of BMC and all efforts are being made to complete it on time.
“We are confident of finishing all the works in time. We are giving full focus and emphasis to Sanitation, beautification and community participation during the event,” said Das.
