Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday planted around 300 Bougainvillea saplings along a 1.27-km road median stretch from CRPF Square to DAV Road as part of its ongoing drive to increase greenery and improve the city’s streetscape.
The plantation was carried out by the BMC Environment Section in collaboration with its partner agency. The civic body has now decided to intensify plantation on road medians, with plans to cover more such stretches across the city under its beautification programme.
Officials said the focus is not only on area-based plantation but also on filling gaps and developing greenery along road medians. The initiative is aimed at giving the city’s major roads a greener and more aesthetically pleasing appearance while providing a better experience for commuters and visitors.
A median gap-filling plantation drive was also undertaken at Nilakantha Nagar in Nayapalli on Saturday. The programme was attended by BMC Additional Commissioner Suvendu Kumar Sahoo, Ward 38 Corporator Padmaja Priyadarshini Jena and members of the BMC team.
The civic body has prepared an action plan to take up plantation on more medians in a phased manner. Officials said maintenance of the plants would receive equal attention, with partner agencies and CSR initiatives being engaged to ensure their survival and upkeep.
BVG India Pvt Ltd is among the agencies supporting BMC’s plantation and maintenance initiatives. Under CSR programmes, SMS Group, MGM Group and NALCO are also extending support for maintaining and improving greenery along city medians.
At present, BMC manages 39 road medians covering more than 45 km across Bhubaneswar through partner agencies. The civic body plans to expand and fine-tune the median plantation programme in keeping with the city’s growth.
“The median plantation programme will be fine-tuned with the pace of the city’s growth. Locals in different areas are also appreciating the drive,” said Sushreeta Tudu, deputy commissioner, Environment, BMC.
The civic body said continued participation from private companies, partner agencies and local communities would help strengthen the city’s green cover and improve its urban landscape.
