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Plan to set up roadside flower kiosks opposed

BHUBANESWAR: Permission to set up flower kiosks by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) along the main roads as part of its ‘beautification’ programme has not gone down well with the citizens’ associations.

The kiosks have started coming up along different road stretches in the capital city. Several citizens raised concernthat at a time vending zones had already added woes to traffic problem these kiosks would further make the matter worse.

“Already, the government has set up the so-called vending zones on the main roads. No end to this process is in sight. The vending zones are objectionable as they replace the previous encroachments,” said N. K. Panda, president of Citizens’ Apex Association (CAA).

He said today’s minor roads would become tomorrow’s major roads and programmes should be taken up in such a manner that litigations do not mar the development in future.

“If the idea is to encourage sale of flowers, the established market should have a corner for florists,” Mr. Panda, who was former chief secretary of the State, said.

The police commissionerate, which has earlier expressed its displeasure over location of vending zones as they are major causes of traffic problem, is too in the dark about setting up of flower kiosks.

Asked Commissioner of Police Bijay Kumar Sharma said, “I am not aware if BMC has ever solicited any suggestions from the commissionerate before taking a decision on kiosks.”

Works are on a war-footing to set up these kiosks which would be inaugurated on August 31, the local self government day. BMC plans to set up 15 flower kiosks as part of its beautification programme.

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