Interpretation Centre by Sept
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday directed the concerned officials to complete the tourist facilities and peripheral development project at the Sun Temple complex at Konark latest by April, 2015 in view of the ensuing Nabakalebara festival of lord Jagannath in July.
While reviewing the progress of the project with the officials of the Indian Oil Foundation Trust (IOF) of Indian Oil Corporation limited (IOC), which has been entrusted to develop the project at a cost of `36 crore, the Minister directed them to expedite the work.
The IOF officials gave a detailed presentation on the facilities proposed to be constructed at Konark to the Minister. They also apprised the Minister that the construction works were stopped due to encroachment of land.
Notably, a state-of-art Interpretation Centre with facilities such as audio-visual centre, descriptive galleries, souvenir shops and other facilities would be developed to explain the tourists about the history and science behind the Sun Temple and the great cultural and historical tradition of the State. It was decided that the work for the Interpretation Centre would commence in September 2014.