Union Secretary reviews Tourism Potential of Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Sep 26: Union Secretary, Tourism, Shri Vinod Zutshi, IAS, took a review meeting on the tourism potential of Odisha and progress of the Ministry of Tourism assisted projects. Principal Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Odisha, Shri L. N. Gupta, IAS, made a presentation on profile of Odisha Tourism, progress of different Central assisted projects, recent initiatives taken and way forward. Union Secretary expressed his happiness on the progress of the Odisha Tourism in terms of growth in tourist arrival, marketing initiatives, measures on safety and security of tourists, beach cleaning initiatives, etc. He was also overwhelmed with the tourism products and prospect of the State. He assured all possible support from Ministry of Tourism for promotion and development of tourism in the state.

Shri Gupta requested the Union Secretary to consider inclusion of famous Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udaygiri and Dhauli in the National Buddhist Circuit in the context of Odisha’s rich Buddhist Heritage. Union Secretary assured to consider the proposal and advised the State Tourism Department to participate in the China Travel Mart scheduled in November to showcase Odisha’s Buddhist treasures and attract Buddhist Tourists to Odisha.

Further State Govt. has already submitted two proposals under Coastal Circuit covering  Gopalpur-Tampara-Chilika and Talsari-Chandipur-Dagara to the Ministry of Tourism for funding in the current financial year. Union Secretary was further requested to consider inclusion of Biraja Tenmple-Sarala-Akhandalamani- Baladev Jew – Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri under SWADESH Darshan Scheme to the Ministry.

State also requested to consider release of the balance 65.00 crore against projects ongoing under the PIDDC scheme of Central Govt. Union Secretary also informed that the matter in respect of balance outstanding dues of all State is under active consideration. The Ministry will take up the issue with the Ministry of Finance for a final decision in this matter.

Union Secretary, Tourism also assured to sponsor travel writers and journalists under MDA Scheme through the overseas India Tourism offices of Ministry of Tourism to Konark Festival for appropriate coverage.