The BN Palace situated on the embankment of the Mahendra Tanaya river that holds many historical significance is losing its glory by the day with the Government not taking any steps for its development for tourism purpose.
It is alleged that the Tourism Department is sitting idle by not taking any steps for development of the palace, which was built as a guesthouse by Gajapati King’s family way back in 1910. The monument is now under the Tourism Department of the State Government.
“The Tourism Department had sanctioned `2 crore for infrastructure development at the palace during the last two years. It is yet to be known whether the money has been spent for the purpose or has been misused,” said a local.
Though the Government has constructed many buildings for tourists’ shelter and a picnic spot on 23 acre of land, these facilities remain closed all the time without being properly utilised. Besides, with no boundary, people from Paralakhemundi and Andhra Pradesh come to the spot for picnic in front of the palace and pollute the surrounding. Even no staffs have been engaged to guide tourists visiting the site.
It is generally questioned why the facilities are not being used and who are responsible for maintenance of the buildings in the palace premises.
As the District Tourist Officer’s post is lying vacant, no information regarding the palace was available.