Odisha seeks international connectivity to boost tourism sector

Odisha Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Tuesday requested the Centre to set up a Tagore Cultural Complex, Odissi Dance Museum at Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and also an International Museum at Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya in Puri.

He also urged the Centre to facilitate international air connectivity to Bhubaneswar in order to boost tourism sector.

He further requested union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma to initiate steps for branding of Nabakalebar festival scheduled to be held in July this year at Puri and release of funds worth Rs.8 crore for eight projects in the state. The minister also urged inclusion of places of Buddhist interest in the state in the 'Swadesh Darshan' planned by the central government.

Meeting union Tourism Minister Sharma and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju here, Panda said that although Bhubaneswar was declared an 'International Airport' in 2013, the Centre was yet to facilitate international flight operations from the airport which eventually is hampering the state's tourism industry.

He urged extension of the Mumbai-Dubai Air India flight to Bhubaneswar and allowing other flight operators to start commercial operations from the airport.