Odisha hopes to start Konark Temple conservation work soon

The long pending conservation measures will now be started by ASI after the agency got permissive possession from the state government last month.

The Union government has also agreed to the state's proposal for upgrading Guru Kelucharan Odissi Research Centre to that of a state-level museum, officials said today.

These were the outcomes of various issues raised by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his meetings with central ministers during January-September, 2012.

Expressing satisfaction over follow up actions taken by state officials at the Resident Commissioner's Office at Delhi, Patnaik said contribution of the state in providing 10 acres of land adjacent to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, recently has enabled Union Health Ministry to initiate the process for establishing Regional Institute of Para Medical Sciences.

The Chief Minister, during a review, observed that persistent efforts by the state have led to reconstitution of Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority, release of central share to Odisha State Treatment Fund Society and announcement of time line for upgradation of Biju Patnaik Domestic Airport to an international airport by April, 2013.

In addition, the long pending demand to introduce a special Buddhist train to cover Buddhist Centres of Odisha and promote tourism in the state, has been acceded to and the first train is expected to start operating in the third week of December, they said.

Further, with the clearance given by the state government to transfer the land to the State Institute of Hotel Management Society, Bolangir, the degree course could start from the next academic year.