Other States - Orissa

New schemes to boost tourism

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR JUNE 29. The Centre was striving to formulate new schemes to give a boost to tourism, the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Jagmohan, said here today. "We are trying to chalk out a new scheme that would be comprehensive in all aspects to give a new direction to the tourism sector,''. Proper implementation of the scheme would be given priority, he said.

Addressing presspersons at the end of his three-day tour of Orissa, Mr. Jagmohan said the aim would be to synthesise the elements of tourism and culture while developing different tourist places.

The Minister, who visited more than 100 sites in the country to assess the situation and create new grounds to promote tourism, said emphasis would be given to promote domestic tourism.

As part of the new initiative, he said, Konark in Orissa would be developed as one of the major tourist destinations in the country like Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and Hampi in Karnataka.

The Minister said Rs. 2 crores would be spent for beautification of the Sun temple and its surroundings at Konark. Facilities such as medical, shopping arcade and parking sites would be provided at Konark, he said. The Sun temple would also be kept open for tourists till late in the evening. At present, the temple closes for visitors by sunset.

Mr. Jagmohan, who visited several tourist places and monuments during his tour of the State, said the Centre had decided to develop at least one village in each State as a tourist destination with a view to promoting village tourism. Raghurajpur village in Puri district had been chosen to be developed as a model crafts village in Orissa, he said. A sum of Rs. 1 crore will be spent for developing the village as a tourist attraction.

The Minister lamented that most of the monuments and tourist places he visited in Orissa had been affected by illegal encroachments and unauthorised structures. The problem also existed in other parts of the country he said, and suggested that the State Government made these places free from encroachments and keep them clean. "Our sea shores, temples and monuments should be cleaned up to attract tourists.''

The Minister announced that the beach between Puri and Konark would be developed to attract more tourists. The Buddhist sites at Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitgiri hills in Jajpur district of the State would also be developed as prominent tourist centres.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• New schemes to boost tourism

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu