BHUBANESWAR: With an aim to create awareness on cleanliness and gender equality, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has taken up painting murals on the themes at Telugu Basti in Saheed Nagar under Bhubaneswar Town Centre District (BTCD) area. Besides the murals, the officials have also added numbers of various helplines on the walls which the residents can use in case of emergencies. Similar art work was carried out at Shanti Nagar Basti in Kharavel Nagar, informed BSCL.
The initiative is being undertaken with the help of city-based artists and art organisations. An open defecation site too was painted with murals and converted into a play ground. Locals and children of Shanti Nagar Basti had cleaned up 4,000 square feet for the play ground. The BSCL officials informed that the senior citizens would also be included in the programme for availing benefits under the socially smart city initiative.
“The paintings will not only provide a new look to the slums, but will also generate awareness on gender-based issues and cleanliness. We are hopeful that the slum residents will be benefited by these initiatives,” BSCL General Manager (Operations) Bijay Kumar Singh said.