Bhubaneshwar turns to city’s devp body to replicate transport,housing projects

In Bhubaneshwar,which has a population of 14 lakh people,the priority is to create a housing stock as land is getting scarce in the region. “The main issue is housing shortage so the priority is housing stock. The MMRDA has initiated rental housing programme which is unique. There is a lot of within the state migration to Bhubaneshwar,mostly for further education and other opportunities that the city has to offer. According to estimates,the city’s population is set to rise to 30 lakh by 2030,so for that we need to prepare a housing stock. Apart from that there are slums—around 60,000 families,for whom we plan to build two or three floored buildings. Earlier,we used to give plots but since the land is scarce we can now relocate them in buildings,” Singh said.

On the issue of mass transport,the city mainly depends on buses and private vehicles. Currently Bhubaneshwar has 300 buses and is expecting 125 more under the JNNURM. The delegation is keen to implement Bus Rapid Transit System. “As of today,BRTS is likely to be implemented as we have wide roads and this system is less costly. RITES have been asked to prepare a plan for BRTS,” Singh added.

While sharing the views about the BDA visit,Ratnakar Gaikwad,Metropolitan Commissioner,said,“MMRDA is glad to share its experiences and knowledge with the developing cities and mentor them to develop comfortable infrastructure. The BDA is impressed with the rapid development taking place in the region and is keen on replicating few of the projects in the BDA region.”