A total of 348 sites in Odisha have been given tourist spot status and, accordingly, infrastructure development works have been undertaken. Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said this in the State Assembly replying to a question of MlA Sanatan Mahakud and supplementary questions put by other members.
The Minister informed that the Government had spent Rs 50 crore for infrastructure development in tourists sites in 2011-12, 70 crore in 2012-13, Rs 91 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 70 crore in 2014-15. The Minister said the Government has a proposal to set up a ropeway at Bhimakunda in Keonhar district at a cost of Rs 1 crore. He further informed Central Government, by sidelining tourist spot and destination issues, have launched a Swadesh Darshan programme under which seven tourist circuits have been included.
