Bhubaneswar, June 22: The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited) has initiated a comprehensive beautification and greening project along Janpath, aimed at transforming the major city artery into a climate-resilient, greener, and more pedestrian-friendly urban corridor.
Climate-Focused Urban Revitalisation
The initiative places strong emphasis on reducing urban heat and improving environmental conditions through large-scale plantation and landscape redesign. Shade-giving trees are being planted along the corridor to mitigate rising temperatures, enhance comfort for pedestrians, and improve overall air quality.
Officials noted that the project is aligned with broader efforts to address the Urban Heat Island effect and promote sustainable urban infrastructure.
Enhanced Green Infrastructure
The redevelopment plan incorporates the replacement of select hard surfaces with green landscaping zones designed to improve water absorption and ecological sustainability.
A diverse range of plant species has been introduced, including:
- Tabebuia rosea for seasonal pink flowering displays
- Rudrapalash (Spathodea) for bright red blooms
- Amaltas for yellow floral accents
- Shrubs such as Hamelia and Acalypha
- Groundcover plants like Rhoeo
These additions are expected to enhance both the ecological value and visual appeal of the corridor.
Development of Community Public Spaces
As part of the project, 10 public plazas are being developed at strategic locations, including Ekamrakshetra, Master Canteen traffic islands, Rajmahal Flyover underside, IDCO Tower front, and OPTCL front.
These plazas will function as cultural and social interaction spaces, supporting community engagement and hosting events such as Patha Utsav and other local gatherings.
Towards a Sustainable Urban Future
The initiative reflects BSCL’s commitment to developing sustainable, people-centric urban infrastructure that integrates environmental resilience with public utility.
The project is scheduled for completion by August and is expected to serve as a model for future urban greening initiatives in Bhubaneswar.