BHUBANESWAR: The busy stretch between Vani Vihar and Rajmahal Square, better known as Janpath, could wear a different look this year. The artery was expanded recently.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed that the median of Janpath be given an aesthetic makeover on a PPP mode. The private party, which has been entrusted with designing the median, has been instructed to make it contemporary and blend it with the city's urban look.

After Janpath was widened, sonari saplings were planted along the median. "The sonari trees will be uprooted as they may not go with the landscape. Besides, trees with large pods don't look too good on busy roads. The designs would mostly probably reflect the architectural splendours of temples in the city," said an architect, who is part of the makeover team.

The landscaping is also expected to replicate monasteries of Puri, the crafts of Raghurajpur and Ekamra Vaan of the old town area, said BMC commissioner Sanjib Mishra. "Traditional artworks will be redesigned to give them a contemporary look. The landscaping will also boast of greens and flowers to break the monotony. But we may do away with railings as they could disturb the beauty of the new landscape. The designing will be done in such a fashion that it becomes self-sustainable," said Mishra.

Janpath sees heavy traffic and is dotted with shops and markets, jewellery stores, hotels, cinema halls and hangouts. "The stretch is strategic and beautification will enhance its importance," said urban planer Piyush Rout.

The stretch connects the railway station and intercity bus terminal. "Earlier, we gave a proposal to the BMC to create an exclusive pedestrian plaza for walkers. We feel city roads need to have enough space so that pedestrian walkways can be built to facilitate walking, shopping and recreational activities without vehicular intervention," said Rout.

He said small kiosks, food joints and benches can also be placed along the plaza.

A city architect said, "The stretch requires careful planning long stretches of greenery interspersed with designs wherever there is change in median width."

PONDA: After delimitation of wards of the Ponda municipal council (PMC), Ponda's residents will finally choose 14 councillors on May 12.

The directorate of municipal administration (DMA) issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday afternoon.

The actual term of the PMC ended on February 6 and it was necessary to have fresh elections to the council, however, the DMA had planned to delimit the wards of the council and had asked the state election commission in December, 2012, for a time of four months.

The DMA had planned to add one more ward to the earlier 13 wards and at the same time, had a plan to reorganize the 10 wards of Sankhali municipal council (SMC), by sparing its two wards to form a new Arvalem village panachayat.

Speaking to TOI, urban development minister Francis D'Souza had said that the DMA was in the process of deleting two wards from the SMC for the proposed Arvalem village panchayat and rearrange the wards of the SMC to 10.

Besides, he had said that they want to conduct the elections to PMC and SMC on the same day. Some residents of Ponda had challenged the government decision to postpone the PMC election before a court of law and the DMA had assured the court that it may conduct the election by May 5.

But, Ponda celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on May 5 and the election commission sought permission from the court to hold elections on May 12.

Six wards reserved: The director of municipal administration Elvis Gomes said that a total of six wards among the 14 wards have been reserved for OBCs and women candidates.

Ward numbers 2,5,8,11 and 14 are reserved for women and among them ward numbers 8 and 14 would be especially reserved for women from the OBC category. Ward number 4 has been reserved for OBC candidates, Gomes said.