Baleswar is all set to host the annual Golden Beach Festival in Chandipur scheduled to be held from January 26 after a gap of two years (Covid constraints). The festival is organised for four days by a committee with the support of the district administration and the State Government. 

The four-day grand event would witness much fanfare. There will be cultural programmes each evening till January 29 by the local artists and those from various States. 

The local defence units mainly the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) and the Integrated Test Range (ITR) have given consent to put up their stalls for showcasing their guns, artilleries and missiles in the exhibition venue, which will be a source of great attraction. Alongside, there will be other stalls in the venue as well.

There would be sports including volleyball, basketball, ring ball and kabbadi etc in the beach every day, said the organisers at a Press meet here. Former MLA JP Dash, Harekrushna Dash, Bhabagrahi Mohanty and Biplab Kumar Mohanty were among other organisers present.

Meanwhile, the local residents and elected representatives, besides alleging that the beach has been neglected by the State Government, also said that the roads connecting the beach from the town have turned dilapidated owing to lack of maintenance. The road also lacks adequate illumination although this is the home district of the Tourism Minister, they rued.    

Notably, the Chandipur beach, bestowed with natural gifts, is famous for its unique features, the sea water receding for about 3 km twice a day and flat surface.