Rs 22 lakh public money ‘wasted’ as Panthashala built by Odisha govt gathers dust in Kendrapara

The Panthashala built by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) at a cost of Rs 22 lakh in Kendrapara has been gathering dust for the last seven years and is on the verge of reducing to rubbles, alleged locals.

As per reports, the OTDC built the panthashala at a cost of Rs 22 lakh claiming to provide lodging facilities to the tourists coming to Kendrapara town. But since its construction, it could not be made operational till now.

Sources said, all the electrical equipment installed in the panthashala has been stolen while other furniture is not in working condition. Built to facilitate the stay of tourists, the panthashala at Kendrapara’s ward no-19 has now become a haunted house.

While everything inside the panthashala is in a dilapidated condition, the trees and plants inside the panthashala premise create the illusion of a forest.

At some places, the walls have cracked and the doors and windows have been broken. The condition of the toilet is no better. If the look from the outside is worrisome, the situation is worse from the inside.

“The work done in the panthashala is of very low quality. It is evident in the falling of cement blocks from roofs and walls. Whatever work was done and fittings were installed, they were all stolen now. Even the doors and windows have been uprooted and stolen,” alleged a local, Prabhakar Rout.

After remaining closed for a long time, the panthashala has now become a den of anti-social elements.

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“The panthashala work was finished in 2016, but it has not been handed over to us till now. Some anti-social elements and drug addicts have made it their den. It was a Rs 22 lakh project. But the work has not been done as per the standards as the builder-officer nexus has resulted in siphoning off money,” alleged Prashant Kumar Nayak, a Kendrapara local.

The local residents allegedly complained to the administration but to no avail. They have now threatened to launch an agitation in protest.

When contacted, tourism department officials did not respond to requests for comment. On the other hand, the additional collector said that it will be restored immediately.

“OTDC had constructed the Panthashala. They have not handed it over yet. We will see what can be done to make it operational as tourists have started coming to Kendrapara,” said Kendrapara Additional Collector, Nilu Mohapatra.