BHUBANESWAR: With the capital city growing by leaps and bounds, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is seeking the help of corporate houses to offer quality services to people.

The services and works to be taken up through public-private partnership (PPP) include health, community gardens, lighting, sanitation and raising green cover.

"During the next 12 months, the BMC will operate in close association with corporate firms to give the city a new look. We are also contemplating involving people at large to ensure accountability from both the sides," BMC Commissioner Aparajita Sarangi has said.

Community gardens

By the end of 2007, the corporation has set a target to develop 20 community gardens through participation from people. "Work has already commenced on five community gardens. We are providing 90 per cent of funds required for development of these gardens while 10 per cent has to be contributed by the local community," says Ms. Sarangi. Though the BMC has identified another four parks, work will be taken up once the model code of conduct ends. "We are ready to give facelift to15 existing colony parks. Work on four parks will start soon after panchayat elections," she adds. In 2007, the corporation will lay emphasis on lighting at important places.

The Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) will provide Rs. 40 lakhs for erecting high-tower lighting systems at five places. The BMC will bear the recurring cost of Rs. 8,000 per month. Besides, it will take up median development at three places such as Kalpana Square-Rasulgarh, Swosti Plaza Hotel-Damana and Governor House-Nicco Park. "We are going to urge industrial houses to adopt these areas for making it green. We hope corporate firms will come forward," the Commissioner says.

The Real Estate Developers' Association (REDA) and a few other hoteliers and business firms have already shown interest in developing parks and medians.

Hospital development

The BMC and Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital have come to an understanding to convert the dispensary at Brahmeswarpatna into a 10-bed full-fledged hospital. While the corporation will bear the infrastructure cost, hospital authorities will provide human resource services, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses. The BMC has agreed to give Rs. 15,000 per month towards fuel cost of the doctors.

Apart from this, the BMC is going to privatise sanitation service in 14 more units shortly.

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