BALASORE: Here is a piece of good news for the people of Balasore. The State Government has envisaged a mega tourism project along the Talasari-Udaypur beach in the district and connect it with the existing destinations at Chandipur, Nilagiri and Remuna. The Government plans to spend around Rs 250 crore for the development of at least 10 tourism destinations of the coastal district. OTDC chairman Jyotiskar Mohapatra, who attended a review meeting, said the Tourism Department had already asked the district administration to identify at least 1,802 acres of land along Talasari-Udaypur belt for the mega destination tourism project. “The proposal is already in the pipeline. Once the land is identified, we will send the proposal to the Central Government for clearance. The project includes beach beautification, water sports complex, panthanivas, landscaping, pathway, park, craft bazaar and illumination,” he said. However, before going ahead with the project the Tourism Department wants to develop the existing tourism spots which cry for immediate attention. For this, the department had already sanctioned Rs 2.01 crore. While Rs 1.46 crore will be spent for the construction of pathway in Chandipur and Rs 59 lakh for Panchalingeswar pathway, Rs 21 lakh has been set aside for illumination, pond excavation and pathway at Khirachora temple in Remuna. Clearance has also been sought from the forest authorities for a trekking unit at Nilagiri. Besides, there is a proposal for the development of Buddhist circuit at Ayodhya, Sajnagarh Chandi temple, Sunya Mandap at Khaira, Chaumukh-Dagara beach and Baulagadia village. Mohapatra has already visited Baulagadia village and interacted with the stone carving artisans who have demanded development of the area as a heritage craft village on the lines of Raghurajpur in Puri. Baulagadia, located nearly 30 km from Balasore, is famous for stone carving works in the State. Besides, the Tourism Department has also sought 50 decimal land near the existing Panthanivas at Balasore to expand it. Among others, Balasore Collector Akhila Bihari Ota, sub-collectors Ramesh Rout and Manoj Mohanty, OTDC general manager Manoranjan Patnaik, executive engineer AK Jena, architects and tourist officer Harekrushna Sial were present.
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