Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Monday shot a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging the latter to prepare a comprehensive Development Plan (DP) for the International Peace Pagoda ‘Dhauli Stupa’, one of the top tourist attractions in the state, located on the outskirts of the Capital City.

She also alleged misappropriation of funds sanctioned by the Government of India (GOI) under the Destination Development Scheme for the development of the precincts of the world famous monument.

In the letter, Sarangi expressed her concern over the fact that the important tourist site in the state has been languishing in a state of neglect due to lack of proper maintenance and non-implementation of a holistic development plan.

“I recollect that in 2005 you had taken the initiative to invite architectural firm M/s. Karan Grover & Associates for preparation of a comprehensive development plan for Dhauli. On the basis of the development plan, the Ministry of Tourism, GOI, had sanctioned Rs.5 crore under its flagship ‘Destination Development Scheme’ for Dhauli,” stated Sarangi alleging that a large portion of this amount was misappropriated and a part was diverted for activities other than the components for which the funds had been released.

“It is learnt that the Ministry of Tourism had reservations about such diversion on account of which the State Government had to make additional provision under the State plan. If you find time to visit Dhauli, you will be saddened to see that additional funds from the Central Government funds as well as the State plan have not been utilised gainfully and Dhauli today has no sign of any worthwhile development,” she said in the letter to the CM.

The Bhubaneswar MP also expressed her dissatisfaction over the facilities at Dhauli.

“The parking arrangement, proper rehabilitation of souvenir shops, operation of battery operated louse to ferry tourists, development of pathway from the foothold of the Stupa with Buddhist motifs and symbols at frequent intervals, as envisaged in the plan developed by M/s. Karan Grover & Associates, have not been done at all. In fact, the dome of the Stupa has developed visible cracks and is crying for immediate attention,” she mentioned.

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Sarangi urged the Chief Minister to issue the necessary instructions for a thorough investigation into the siphoning of funds while ensuring the   implementation of the Comprehensive Development Plan.

“I am also aware of the fact that toll is being collected from the tourist vehicles going to Dhauli and reportedly, more than Rs 1 crore is lying unutilised in the account of Dhauli Development Committee which is chaired by the District Collector. This amount should be utilised for extending partial support to Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha and also for maintenance and upkeep of the Stupa and its surroundings,” she said.

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