Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Asit Tripathy has said that the Hirakud Dam reservoir would have cruise facilities to attract tourists. Tripathy on Wednesday visited the dam and an island inside the reservoir, where ecotourism cottages would come up.Tripathy also said tender would be floated soon for the Samaleswari Temple Area Management and Local Economy Initiative (SAMALEI) project, which was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik earlier.
A Rs 200-crore package for beautification and peripheral development of the famous temple in Sambalpur involves the project in an area of 108 acres around the shrine.The project includes erection of major gates in the four sides of the temple to facilitate smooth entry and exit of devotees. The temple situated on the bank of Mahanadi would have adequate facilities for religious functions, a bhoga mandap and rest rooms for servitors. A kilometre-long heritage corridor would be constructed around temple for Parikrama of devotees. Facilities like a Yatri Niwas, a parking lot, an information centre, a vending zone and other amenities would be available.