Gopalpur to be modelled on Visakhapatnam

The Orissa government will examine the proposal to develop sea-beach tourism at Goplapur in line with the one at Visakhapattanam in Andhra Pradesh.

The government will examine various components of sea-beach development plan implemented at Visakhapattanam before taking a decision in this regard.

“The government will consider the proposal keeping in view the ecology and culture of Gopalpur”, state tourism minister, Debi Prasad Misra said.

He said, Goplapur is among the six locations being developed by the state government as sea-beach tourist destinations. Since the state has a long coastline of 480 kms, efforts are being made to improve the infrastructure in locations suitable for beach tourism.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has prepared a Coastal Zone Development Plan (ICZDP) for integrated development of Talasari, Chandipur, Chandrabhaga, Puri and Gopalpur. Financial assistance is provided by the state government for organising ‘Sea-beach Mahotsav’ to attract the tourists, he added.

The government has taken a host of measures for developing tourist destinations. This includes opening up of Panthaniwas, construction of convention centres, food court, additional accommodation, parking facilities, lighting facilities, children’s park, toilet complex, interpretation centre, public convenience centre and Kiosks among others.

A gallery to accommodate 2000 tourists has been constructed at Goplapur sea-beach and the work is in progress to provide sanitary facilities there, Misra added.

Similarly, for convenience of the tourists, Panthaniwas and Yatri Niwas have been constructed at Puri. The Panthabhawan, which was functioning there earlier, is being developed as a heritage hotel in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. Besides, beautification work of the Puri beach has been taken up.

Misra said, 28 new tourist destinations have been indentified by the government during last 8 years.

The state government and the Centre have provided assistance for the development of 5 destinations like Pragalpitha, Barpali (rural tourism), Ujjleswar and Ghodahada, Kechela and Brahmapura.