Odisha to develop 33 tourist sites in Sundargarh; DPR ordered

Rourkela: In a major boost to Sundargarh district, the tourism department has initiated action to develop 33 tourist sites following proposals submitted by Deputy Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly and Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak.

The state government has accorded priority to the proposal for comprehensive tourism development across the district.

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Acting on government directives, Additional Secretary of the Tourism Department, Saroj Kumar Swain, has written to Sundargarh Collector Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra seeking detailed reports on the identified tourist spots.

These include:

• Detailed land records
• Verification of ownership
• Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with design layouts
• Estimates of required funds

The Additional Secretary, in his letter, stated that once the proposals are evaluated and found suitable, the projects will be taken up on priority for development.

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Major Sites Proposed for Development

The proposals submitted by Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi include:

1. Ushakothi Shiva Temple
2. Sukh Mahadev Temple
3. Usasi Tungri
4. Karlaghati Temple
5. Sigramunda Temple
6. Samaleswari Temple Campus
7. Madrikalo Bhawan (Sundargarh)
8. Beautification of Ib river surroundings
9. Beautification of Angarapahad
10. Kahnakund in Balishankara block
11. Madheswar Shiva Temple
12. Sapneswar Baba Temple
13. Baba Baneswar Shiva Temple (Bonaigarh)
14. Sigradei of Lahuniapada
15. Ashok Jharna
16. Mirgilota
17. Darjing and Deodarah
18. Kaleiposh Forest Zone
19. Badalgiri Waterfall (Gurundia)

The spots proposed by Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak include:

1. Amko-Simko Shaheed Peeth (Kuarmunda)
2. Mandira Dam Periphery (Rajgangpur)
3. Deodarah, Darjing
4. Rukuda Dam
5. Brahmanmara Tank under Biramitrapur Municipality
6. Badalgiri Waterfall (under Bhasra block)
7. Akshayashila Waterfall (Bhasra block)

According to reports, out of the 13 tourist destinations in the district that have made it to Odisha’s tourism map, only three have seen significant development. The remaining sites have witnessed no progress for years, leading to a sharp drop in tourist footfall and almost negligible visits by foreign tourists.

So far, only Vedavyas, Khandadhar, and Pitamahal Dam in Sundargarh have seen partial development under tourism initiatives.

Residents now hope that with the proactive intervention of the Deputy Speaker and Rourkela MLA, the Sundargarh Collector will fast-track the required procedures so that the development work begins at the earliest.