Govt to expedite western Orissa tourism plan

The Orissa government has decided to expedite the implementation of tourism development plan for Western Orissa. Under it, a new tourism circuit consisting of all the tourist destinations in un-divided Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Bargarh and adjoining Sundergarh district will be created.

This follows the direction of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik for expediting the tourism development plan for western Orissa.

“The government is trying to encourage the visit of the tourists to various tourists’ destinations in western Orissa. Historical places, temples having rich architecture, waterfalls and rural tourism are being promoted as part of this plan”, Devi Prasad Mishra, minister of tourism, Orissa government said.

He said, government has taken steps for the development of tourist locations like Harishankar, Yogisarada, Ranipur-Jhariyal, Saitala, Turekela, Debrigarh, Raisima, Nrusinghanath, Ganiapali, Barapali, Tikhidi, Deodhar.

Similarly, destinations like Pradhanpat and Kailash in Deogarh district, Gujapahar, Kuilighugar, Pikalghugar and Bikramkhole are being refurbished. Besides, locations like Huma, Gujuda, Hirakud, Ushakothi, Khenda and Sambalpur in Sambalpur district and Chhatriparbat, Darjeeing, Deodhar, Ghogar, Junagarh, Khandadhar, Mandiri and Vedavyas in Sundergarh district are being developed.

The minister said, discussion will be held with the officials of the water resources department for introducing boat tourism in the water reservoir of Hirakud. About Rs 5 crore is being spent on development of Nrusinghanath and its bio-sphere.

It may be noted, the state government has already identified tourism as a priority sector and working on a plan to make Orissa a tourist hub.