In order to attract more pilgrims and tourists to Puri during the upcoming Nabakalebar, the Tourism Department has undertaken various projects worth over Rs 20.27 cr, besides other activities, informed Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda in the Assembly on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question by Ashwini Kumar Patra, he said the projects include construction of toilet complexes at an expenditure of Rs 1.30 crore. The amount has been released in favour of Executive Officer of the Puri Municipality from the State Plan 2014-15.
Similarly, a sum of Rs 3.50 crore has been sanctioned under the current State Plan for construction of temporary accommodation at Puri. The tender process for this project has been completed by the district Collector, he said. He said facilities like public convenience, yajna mandap, priest rest shed, tourist rest shed and parking place are being constructed at the Deuli Matha at Kakatpur. The project cost is Rs 158.58 lakh sanctioned under the State Plan. The project was expected to be completed by March 25, 2015.
Construction of a wayside amenity centre at Patnaika (Rs 315.12 lakh) and an interpretation centre and craft complex inside the Jaganath Ballav Mutt (Rs 364.12 lakh) have been taken up under the Sate Plan. These two projects are nearing completion, he said. Besides, a pilgrim rest shed and a toilet block inside the Jagannath Ballav Mutt at a cost of Rs 209.96 lakh, a project for development of the Alaranath Temple at a cost of Rs 3 crore, a project for creating a pathway, landscaping and a retaining wall at Atharnala and a project for development of the Pathana Pokhari at Puri at a cost of Rs 132 lakh have been taken up. The department is also making publicity in print and electronic media and experimenting bed and breakfast (home stay) between Bhubaneswar and Puri.,