Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess and streamline the integrated development, conservation and tourism management of key heritage and religious sites in the state capital, including Kedar Gouri, Khandagiri, Kapileshwar and Mukteshwar.
Emphasising the need for a holistic approach, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the launch of a large-scale cleanliness and public awareness campaign at these locations, with necessary funds to be allocated by the concerned departments. She underlined that heritage conservation, tourism promotion and environmental sustainability must advance simultaneously to preserve the cultural and ecological significance of the sites.
Drawing from observations made during her recent site visits, the meeting deliberated in detail on several critical issues such as scientific waste management within temple premises, desilting and rejuvenation of kunds and other water bodies, improvement of drainage systems, and regular maintenance of water sources. It was decided that comprehensive site inspections would be conducted to prepare an integrated action plan covering drainage, pumping and maintenance works under the jurisdiction of temple trusts and relevant local bodies, with technical teams to be engaged for the purpose.
The Deputy Chief Minister also stressed the importance of close coordination among the Tourism Department, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Endowment Department and the local administration to ensure effective sanitation, water quality management and routine upkeep of monuments. Priority cleaning and pumping operations will be taken up wherever immediate intervention is required.
To enhance the overall visitor experience, the deployment of trained guides to disseminate historical and cultural information was proposed. The meeting further resolved to ensure the proper functioning of interpretation centres and to plan for the creation of ramps and other universal accessibility facilities at these heritage sites in the future.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Balwant Singh; Commissioner of Endowments Lalatendu Jena; Director, Tourism Department, Deepankar Mohapatra; Additional Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Satrughna Kar; BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana; representatives from the office of the Superintendent of Archaeology, ASI Bhubaneswar Circle; Khordha Collector Amrit Ruturaj; Sub-Collector Manoranjan Sahu; and Ekamra MLA Babu Singh.
