The State Government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for introduction of light and sound show at the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri and the Shanti Stupa of Dhauli in Bhubaneswar and the Sun Temple, the 13th Century World Heritage site, at Konark.
The MoU was signed by Odisha Tourism Director Ashok Kumar Tarenia and IDTC Director (Finance) Trinath Behera at the State Secretariat here in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Chief Secretary GC Pati, among other top State Government officials.
As per the MoU, the estimated costs of the projects for Khandagiri-Udayagiri, Dhauli and Konark are `6.15 crore, `6.06 crore and `6.56 crore, respectively. The Union Tourism Ministry has sanctioned `5 crore for each of the projects while the balance amount would be borne by the State Government.
The ITDC has been entrusted with implementation of the projects as the executing agency.
The Chief Minister said these heritage sites represent a confluence of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. He thanked the ITDC for its association in the projects and hoped that the projects become operational much before the ensuing Nabakalebar festival at Puri next year.