Odisha’s Chandrabhaga beach to get makeover for ‘Blue Flag’ status

Bhubaneswar: Good news for tourists as the Chandrabhaga sea beach in Konark will be developed to achieve international standard like ‘Blue Flag’ certification in India.

In a bid to boost tourism and to reduce growing pollution on sea beaches, Odisha government through its State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and Centre’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) will be taking up a pilot project in Chandrabhaga sea beach for the development as per international standard.

Under ICZMP of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the focuses will be laid on four subjects — solid waste management along with environmental management including cleanliness on the beach, creating awareness among the beach users about environment, safety and security on the beach and to examine the quality standard of bathing water — to maintain cleanliness and to develop infrastructure as per the ‘Blue Flag’ criteria.

Sources said that there will be some provisions under the project to be facilitated for the tourists. There will be bio container based ‘Bio Toilet Blocks’ enclosed in Bamboo Houses, changing rooms and shower panels, grey water treatment plant for water conservation, renewable energy through ‘Off Grid Mini Solar Power Plant’ for electricity, purified drinking water facility free of cost, adequate number of stainless steel litter bins, seating benches, solid waste management through composting unit and mechanical raking of sand, sit-out Umbrella Thatch with Recliner chairs, LED street lights on beach area, jogging track, outdoor fitness equipment for recreational activities, wheel-chair for divyang tourists, ISO standard safety flags, lifeguards, CCTV cameras for keeping constant vigil on beach users especially swimmers, beach cleaning equipment, regulations measures to prevent the stray animals on the beach, parking, coconut and palm tree plantation, watch tower for surveillance and monitoring, security guards, notice board and beach layout to keep the Chandrabhaga sea beach pollution-free.

The authorities have identified around 1.115 km area extended towards south direction of the Chandrabhaga beach for the development under the project. The SPMU and ICZMP has assigned the State Pollution Control Board for testing the bathing water quality in the particular area. The Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) will pay attention on the process of developing required infrastructures on the beach.

However, Konark NAC will be responsible for its day to day maintenance activity and overall coordination of development carried out by SPMU and ICZMP.