Pradhan seeks Centre’s intervention to speed up projects to boost tourism in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday sought Centre’s intervention regarding speedy completion of several projects under flagship Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) and Swadesh Darshan Schemes.

In a letter to KJ Alphons, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Electronics and IT, Pradhan cited tardy progress of a seven component project proposed to be executed by ITDC in Puri.

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Though Rs 50 crore was sanctioned under PRASAD scheme in March 2015, the progress has been slow primarily for want of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearances from Odisha government.

In his letter, Pradhan has urged the Union Minister to personally review the status of the project by conducting an onsite visit at the earliest as Puri which is one of the ‘char dhams’ had attracted 117.2 lakh tourists in 2016.

Similarly, Pradhan has also urged his intervention for speedy completion of development of Gopalpur-Barkul-Satpada-Tampara Coastal Circuit by OTDC for which Rs 76.49 was sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2016.

Pradhan has also requested the Union Minister to consider the proposals of Odisha government for inclusion of five additional projects under Swadesh Darshan scheme.