Kolkata, Nov. 1 -- Around 8 km of VIP Road, from Ultadanga to Haldiram, is set for a landscaping and beautification project estimated at Rs 8.27 crore. The project will involve planting around 2.13 lakh seedlings and decorative plants, with maintenance planned for three years.
The project, being undertaken by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited (WBFDC) through its Green Projects Wing, will cover a total of 8.078 km between Ultadanga Flyover and Haldiram signal. The work has been divided into five sections: Ultadanga Flyover to Bangur, Bangur to Raghunathpur, the area beneath Kestopur Flyover, Raghunathpur to Teghoria and Teghoria to Haldiram.
Of the total 2,12,500 plants, 1.08 lakh will be poly-pot seedlings, while 1.045 lakh will be full-grown decorative perennial plants. The proposed varieties include Dracaena pendanus, Dracaena song of India, Croton Petra Bangalore, Bougainvillea, Allamanda cathartica and Chorisia speciosa.
The work will also involve laying around 21,539 square metre of Neelgiri/Mexican grass turf. Existing trees and shrubs along the five stretches will be pruned and shaped, covering around 4,250 plants. Soil preparation, application of manure and mulching around the newly planted seedlings will also be carried out. The landscaping will be followed by three years of maintenance, including regular watering, mowing, pruning, weed control, fertilisation and replacement of plants wherever necessary. The maintenance work will also include filling gaps in the landscaped areas and clearing garden waste.
The combined estimated cost of the five sections is Rs 8,27,16,676. The largest allocation, around Rs 2.75 crore, is for the 1.954-km stretch between Ultadanga Flyover and Bangur. The longest section, between Bangur and Raghunathpur, covers 3.146 km.
The work is targeted for completion by December 31, 2026, subject to the availability of funds, administrative approval and financial sanction.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.