Odisha to spend Rs 76 crore to develop coastal tourism circuit

Odisha government today said it would invest Rs 76 crore to develop coastal tourism circuit and are taking various steps to woo more tourists to the state.
"We have taken several steps to tap the tourism potential in the state and attract more tourists," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said after inaugurating a new resort along Chilika lake near Pathara in Ganjam district.
The Chief Minister, who also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several other projects, said the government is giving added emphasis on development of infrastructure facilities in tourist spots.
Tourism Minister Ashok Panda said the government would develop the coastal tourism circuit with an investment of Rs 76.50 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Centre.

Gopalpur, Tampara, Barkul and Satapada will be in the coastal circuit tourism project.
Infrastructure growth and beach development will be the priority on circuit tourism in the state and the Central government has released about Rs 15.30 crore in the first instalment of the project. The work for the project would begin soon, Panda said.

The chief minister said introduction of direct international flight between Bhubaneswar and Malyasia is likely to boost tourist inflow.
Panda said the government has provided over Rs 20 crore for infrastructure development of tourist spots in Ganjam district in the last two years.
Other projects inaugurated by the chief minister included 37 internal village roads and two multipurpose cyclone shelter centres.