In a step towards countering the Covid impact on tourism industry, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Thursday directed the department to start river cruising.
He was exploring the possibilities of innovative tourism activities in a high-level meeting with experts and stakeholders on digital mode.
Tripathy said, “There is a huge scope and latent market for world-class river cruising in Odisha. It can also be connected with many eco-spots and refill the economic activities in the sector.
Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev presented the updates for discussions, which showed that presently three principal such cruise circuits can be developed. These are river Mahanadi, Chilika lake and Dangmala reserve forest including National Waterway-5 from Dhamra to Paradip.
Bhitarkanika circuit can connect the spots like Chandbali-Aradi-Dhamara-Khola and other spots in Bhitarkanika. This circuit can be a five-night and six-day cruise. Chilika circuit can connect Chilika, Kalijai-Nalabana-Honeymoon island-Mangalajodi-Satapada-Rajhans island-Satapada and Puri. It could be a three-night and four-day cruise.
The meeting deliberated for organising this activity through PPP mode. The State PPP cell was advised to work out the details in consultation with the Department of Tourism and the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. The Chief Secretary asked the department to coordinate with the Inland Waterways Authority regarding statutory requirements.