Odisha seeks better connectivity to boost tourism

Odisha's Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Tuesday briefed union Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma about the tourism potential of the state and asked him to give it a boost by promoting its rich cultural heritage and improving connectivity.

Panda sought help from the culture minister to set up a Tagore cultural complex and a dance museum in memory of Odissi exponent Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra.

He further requested the release of Rs.8 crore as funds for eight projects for which utilisation certificates have already been sent to the tourism ministry, the Odisha minister said in a statement.

"Connectivity is an important factor to facilitate the growth of tourism... Although Bhubaneswar was declared an international airport in 2013 and has a new state-of-the art terminal, there is no international flight from the airport till date," he said.

Panda said the union minister assured him that the demands of the state were genuine and promised all possible help.