Puri Marine Aquarium project in shambles, denizens suspect embezzlement of funds

The most ambitious tourism project of Odisha, ‘Marine Aquarium’ to transform Puri into an international heritage city seems to be suffering from the government’s apathy as even after over a decade of its inauguration, the project is yet to start. 

As per reports, the State government had sanctioned Rs 5 crore to the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) 13 years back for the project. First, it was an MLA, and then it was the Chief Minister who inaugurated the ambitious project. However, there is no sign of the construction work for the project even over a decade has passsed. 

While questions have been raised multiple times over why OTDC has not started the project even after receiving the funds, the Tourism department has remained mum all these years.
 

Meanwhile, it is being alleged that the sanctioned fund is embezzled 

It is pertinent to mention here that the state government initiated the plans in 2009 with an aim to provide a Dubai-like experience to tourists with the ambitious Marine Aquarium project. On January 30, 2009, former Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty laid the foundation stone for the project near the Urban Haat in Baliapanda which is nearly 200 meter from Puri sea beach.

An Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environment was appointed for constructing the aquarium on 2.404 acre of government land. In 2009, Rs 3 crore was released from the treasury for the project, and in 2020 Rs 2 crore was sanctioned to OTDC. Later in 2015, once again CM Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the project. However, even as the project has been inaugurated twice and Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the same, there are no signs of initiation of the construction work.

“The foundation stone laying ceremony was held multiple times, but, the construction of the museum is yet to start. This explains that the Tourism Department is least bothered about the project,” said Sarat Raiguru, an advocate.

Meanwhile, Biswanath Das, an intellectual said, “This is indeed shameful and disappointing. We are discontented that we have been electing such a government since several years that is only laying the foundation stones and not initiating the works.”

“As per our information, the delay was from the architect’s end who was supposed to give the design,” said Puri Tourism Officer, Saroj Kumar.  

On the other hand, the State’s Revenue Department has been inquiring about the usage of the funds since 13 years to the State tourism department and OTDC. However, neither the tourism department is responding to the inquiries nor it is giving unapplied cash. 

The main reason for concern is, despite the fund was not required in an emergency, OTDC withdrew it. Meanwhile, the Revenue Department has claimed that OTDC such an incident has proved financial irregularities. Further, Revenue Department has mentioned in a letter to the Tourism Department has mentioned that it lost around Rs 1.20 crore by 2013 as the interest. The Revenue Department also raised suspicion about the project in its letter as OTDC didn’t focus on the affiliation and business point of view of the project.

“I will inspect the matter as over 10 years the fund is not being used. We take immediate steps so that the fund will be used for the project,” said Aswini Patra, Minister of Tourism.