In Safe Hands: Puri Konark Marine Drive Steering Back to Its Past Splendor Post Fani

Puri: The aerial video of the Marine Drive today shows that it has got back its live in a record time after losing the sheen during Cyclone Fani. The clean and green picturesque drive today welcomes all including nature lovers. The serene beaches and the sanguine environment today ascertain the resilience of Odisha and its people.  

It was on the 3rd of May 2019, that the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani crossed the land mass over the district of Puri and moved over along the sea coast impacting a large stretch of area and destructing anything that came on the way.

The impact of the Severe Cyclone was so high that most of the trees including that of the Balukhanda and Marine Drive on the way from Puri to Konark were uprooted and the ground looked like a ravaged battle Zone. The Battle was not between mankind but Nature and Mankind. The fury of the nature tried to test the determination of the people of Odisha. And the determined people of Odisha have shown that they can overcome any eventuality with a right resolve. 

Cyclone Fani destroyed the green cover under its trail and more than two million trees were uprooted in the Balukhanda sanctuary and Puri Konark Marine Drive. It took many days to clear the road between Puri and Konark. With fallen electric poles and damaged roads, the area looked like a deserted place and it was thought that its legacy of being one of the beautiful tourist spots in India may not be regained easily.

The swift and serious proactive efforts of the government of Odisha in the aftermath of the Severe Cyclone Fani proved that a strong determination to overcome the calamities can work wonders. With the restoration of communication, the Puri District administration went on to transform the damaged area all again. Within six months, a definite transformation welcomes everybody. The green cover over the Marine Drive has been mostly restored. Today, the Marine Drive boasts of its past scenery again. It has started attracting the tourists in a large number.

This could be possible only due to the indomitable spirit of the people of Odisha and a government that really cares. This has proved that no cyclones, no hurricanes, no floods … nothing has been able to stop Odisha. The resilience of the people of Odisha has always put the state on track.

The state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken extraordinary steps in the aftermath of the Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani. The timely administrative and financial support helped recuperate again.