Bhubaneswar: The Centre has chosen two sites – Hirakud and Satkosia in Odisha to be transformed into iconic tourist destinations of international standards. These sites are part of the 40 locations across 23 states and UTs selected for tourism infrastructure development under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s SASCI scheme.
Hirakud Dam, spanning the Mahanadi River, was one of the first significant multipurpose river valley projects initiated post-independence. It has become a prominent tourist attraction over time, renowned for being the world’s longest earthen dam.
Conversely, Satkosia is celebrated for its rich biodiversity and serves as a haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. It marks the convergence of two of the country’s bio-geographic regions: the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats.
For these developments, the ministry has sanctioned the largest interest-free loans to the state, amounting to Rs 199.89 crore. In a similar vein, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya have each been allocated loans of Rs 199.17 crore, Rs 199.3 crore, and Rs 198.54 crore for two sites respectively.
Sources indicate that a long-term, interest-free loan has been sanctioned for a 50-year period to extensively develop iconic tourist centers, along with branding and marketing on a global scale. This initiative is expected to bolster the economy by generating job opportunities through eco-friendly tourism projects.
The state government will allocate land free of any encumbrances at no cost for these projects. Agencies with the capability to develop, manage, and introduce world-class tourist facilities and experiences will be engaged for the two initiatives. Measures ranging from site decongestion and technology integration to the promotion of eco-friendly practices and improved visitor experiences will be implemented as part of the plan.
The projects are to be designed with sustainable operations and maintenance in mind, ensuring that the tourism experience and services are safe, appealing, and enjoyable for both local and international tourists.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving priority to the tourism sector through the SASCI scheme. “Odisha is honoured to include Hirakud and Satkosia in this forward-thinking project. These developments will certainly enhance Odisha’s stature on India’s tourism map,” he stated.