Infra development at Puri, Ramchandi, Kakatpur, Dhauli
It’s Nabakalebar special. Three large lED screens would be put up at different places in Puri, including one at the sea beach, for the devotees to watch world famous Rath Yatra live from the Badadanda (Grand Road) in 2015.
According to the India Tourism Development Corporation limited (ITDC) sources, two other screens would be set up at the Jagannath Ballabh Mutt and the Shree Gundicha Temple. Each lED screen, to be provided by the ITDC, would cost around `1.50 crore, said an official.
The ITDC has also chalked out a massive infrastructure development plan of `25 crore for Puri-Ramchandi-Kakatpur-Dhauli under its Mega Circuit Development Scheme in view of the Nabakalebar.
Tourism and Culture Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee held talks with senior officials of ITDC here on Tuesday in this regard. Earlier, Padhee had placed proposals to this effect before ITDC Managing Director Sameer Sharma and Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Diwan during his recent New Delhi visit.
The detailed project report (DPR) presented to the State Government revealed that the sea beach at Puri would be developed with installation of lED lights, a lED large screen, display boards and signage.
The ITDC would also take up landscaping with support of the Odisha Horticulture Development Society (OHDS) at different places.
The proposed Shree Jagannath Museum and Cultural Complex would be set up at Balia Panda, comprising a 500 seat capacity convention centre, public conveniences and drinking water facilities. There will be an amphitheatre for 100 people with food court and other amenities for the tourists.
In order to accommodate more tourists at Puri, a budget hotel will be set up inside the campus of the Hotel Nilanchal Ashok. Similarly, development works would be taken up at the Deuli Mutt and Maa Mangala Temple at Kakatpur.
There would be a food court, kiosks, statues and sculptures and toilets on the foothills of the famous Dhauli Stupa. Upgradation of facilities at the Ramchandi Temple is also included in the DPR.
The infrastructure development programme would be taken up in a time-bound manner, said Tourism Department sources.