Chief Secretary Reviews Progress Of Development Works In Tourist Places

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra today reviewed the status of the development works being undertaken at various tourism places of the state including Bhitarkanika, Nrisinghanath, Chandrabhaga and Harishankar. The site development works at these tourist places have been fast-tracked in order to enable them to attract more and mre tourists. The high level review meeting was held at the Lokseba Bhawan conference hall wherein Principal Secretary Tourism Surendra Kumar and other senior officials were present.

During the discussions, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned authorities at the site development projects to execute and implement the works expeditiously. After setting up the necessary facilities at Bhitarkanika by the works department, the site would be handed over to the department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change for sustainable management.

Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra also directed the officials to manage the sites through committees involving the local stakeholders such as Women Self Help Groups. The local WSHGs would be involved in hospitality, sanitation and upkeepment to the fullest feasible extent in the spots.

Discussions in the meeting showed that for Bhitarkanika, tourism facilities would be developed in four principal zones viz. Dangmal, Gupti, Khola, and Chandbali. The primary interventions would include setting up of the cottages, laying of floating jetties, development of arrival plaza, common facility centers, interpretation center, facilities for wild life sighting, toilets, parking, and other tourist facilitation infrastructure.

Land for tourism projects would be acquired and developed by IDCO near Gupti, Khola, and Kasturikana. The entire project would be undertaken in three phases. In the first phase an amount of Rs 46.23 crore would be invested for creation of high priority facilities. The Collector and Divisional Forest Officer of Kendrapara submitted field updates and apposite suggestions through video conferencing. Similarly, the boating and beach sight facilities would be developed at Chandrabhaga with an investment of around Rs 42 crore. The site development works at Nrishnghanath and Harishankar would be done with investment of around Rs 46 crore.

Additional Chief Secretary Forest, Environment and Climate Change Dr Mona Sharma, Managing Director IDCO Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Director Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Additional Secretary Tourism Durga Prasad Mahapatra and other senior officers also were present during the review meeting.